What is Networking? Understanding IP, MAC Address & the Internet (Beginner Guide)

 What is Networking? Understanding IP, MAC Address & the Internet (Beginner Guide)

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1️⃣ What is Networking? (Diagram)

Explanation:
This diagram shows multiple devices (PC, laptop, mobile, server) connected through a switch or router.
When devices are connected and can share data, it is called networking.

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2️⃣ What is the Internet? (Network of Networks)

Explanation:

• Small networks = Private Networks (Home, Office)

• Large connecting network = Public Network (Internet)
  The Internet connects millions of private networks worldwide.

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3️⃣ IP Address Structure (IPv4)

Explanation:
An IPv4 address has 4 parts, and each part is called an Octet.

Example:

192 . 168 . 1 . 1

Each octet helps identify:

• Network

• Sub-network

• Host (device)

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4️⃣ Private IP vs Public IP

Explanation:

• Devices inside home/office use Private IP

• Router uses Public IP to communicate with the Internet

• Multiple devices can share one public IP using NAT

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5️⃣ IPv4 vs IPv6 Comparison

Explanation:

• IPv4 → Limited addresses

• IPv6 → Very large address space
  IPv6 is the future due to billions of connected devices.

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6️⃣ MAC Address (Hardware Identity)

Explanation:
A MAC address is:

• Fixed to network hardware

• Written in hexadecimal

• Example:

a4:c3:f0:85:ac:2d

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7️⃣ MAC Spoofing (Hotel Wi-Fi Example)

Explanation:

• Paid user’s MAC → Allowed

• Attacker copies MAC → Gets access
  This shows why MAC-based security alone is weak.