Tag: computer networks
🧭 Troubleshooting Networks Is Finding Where the Conversation Broke
Network troubleshooting is finding where the conversation broke. Instead of saying “the network is down,” follow the message step by step: DNS, IP address, route, port, firewall, NAT, TLS, and service. This ELI5 guide brings the Networking for Humans series together with a simple mindset for diagnosing connection problems.
🐢 Latency Is Waiting for Someone to Reply
Latency is waiting for someone to reply. Bandwidth is how much they can send at once. Packet loss means parts of the message disappear, and jitter means replies arrive unevenly. This ELI5 networking guide explains why “the network is slow” can describe several different problems that require different fixes.
🏷️ DHCP Is the Receptionist Who Hands Out Name Tags
DHCP is the receptionist who hands out name tags for the network. When devices join, DHCP gives them an IP address, subnet mask, gateway, DNS server, and lease time. This ELI5 networking guide explains automatic network configuration, DHCP pools, reservations, and common problems like full pools or rogue DHCP servers.
🏘️ Subnets Are Neighborhoods with Boundaries
Subnets are neighborhoods with boundaries. Devices in the same subnet can often communicate locally, while devices outside the subnet need a router. This ELI5 networking guide explains subnet ranges, subnet masks, gateways, and common subnet problems using a simple neighborhood metaphor.
🚦 Routers Are Traffic Cops for Packets
Routers are traffic cops for packets. They help data move from one network to another by choosing the next hop toward the destination. This ELI5 networking guide explains routing, default gateways, routing tables, and common problems that happen when packets get sent the wrong way or cannot find their way back.
🚪 Ports Are Apartment Numbers in the Same Building
Ports are apartment numbers for computers. An IP address gets traffic to the right machine, but the port gets it to the right application. This ELI5 networking guide explains how ports work, why services listen on ports, and why connection problems are often just wrong-door problems.
🏠 IP Addresses Are Home Addresses for Computers
IP addresses are home addresses for computers. They tell networks where to send data, just like street addresses tell delivery drivers where to bring packages. This ELI5 networking guide explains what IP addresses do, why devices need them, and how wrong or missing addresses break communication.
🔥 Firewalls Are Bouncers with a Guest List
Firewalls are like bouncers with a guest list. They check where traffic comes from, where it wants to go, which port it uses, and whether rules allow it. This ELI5 networking guide explains firewall rules, blocked connections, trust boundaries, and why “just open everything” is rarely a good idea.
🌐 DNS Is the Phonebook for the Internet
DNS is the internet’s phonebook. It turns human-friendly names like example.com into IP addresses computers can use. This ELI5 networking guide explains DNS with contact lists, caching, common failures, and why a website may seem down when your computer simply cannot find its address.
🌐 TCP Is a Polite Conversation; UDP Just Yells Into the Void
TCP and UDP are two basic ways computers communicate. TCP is like a polite phone conversation: it checks delivery, keeps messages in order, and repeats missing parts. UDP is like shouting across a playground: fast, simple, and not guaranteed. This ELI5 guide explains the difference using human communication.
