CST 311 Computer Networks - Week 1

Week 1 Overview: 

This week introduced the fundamentals of computer networking and how the Internet actually works. We started by defining what the Internet is and understanding protocols as the rules that allow systems to communicate. The lectures explained the network edge, the devices and access networks that connect users, and the physical media that carry data. We also explored the network core, comparing packet switching and circuit switching, and how data moves through different layers of the Internet’s structure. A key focus was on performance concepts like delay, loss, and throughput, which affect how efficiently information travels. The chapter closed with an overview of protocol layering and Internet service models, setting the stage for everything else in the course. Lastly, we touched on network security and how vulnerabilities can be exploited. The lab with Wireshark gave hands-on experience observing real network traffic.