Network Layer
- computes paths across an interconnected mesh of links and packet switches, and forwards packets over multiple links from source to destination and routing through intermediate routers
Network Protocol Categories
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Routing Protocols - used between routers to build and maintain routing tables, so data/packets could be routed successfully
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Routed Protocols - used to routed data/packets across an internetwork
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ICMP - used for error diagnosis
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IGMP - integral for IP multicast
Hardware
- Router - note: there is a difference between home routers and industrial routers
- Autonomous System - a collection of networks or subnets that are in the same administrative domain