Network Fundamentals

Before you start, you need to know the definitions of some terms used in networking. You’ll find numerous acronyms, which I’ll try to sort out a bit here. I’ll begin by describing the networking model that comes standard in Solaris 9. I’ll describe the types of networks available and then the various network protocols. Finally, I’ll identify the physical components of the network hardware, including the network interfaces and cabling.

Network Topologies

The term network topology refers to the overall picture of the network and the arrangement in which the nodes on a network are connected to each other. The topology describes small and large networks, including LANs and WANs.

LAN

A local area network (LAN) is a set ...

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