The network, as we know it

Antonio Liotta, George Exarchakos

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

If you aren't a network guru and have no interest whatsoever in becoming one, though still wonder how the 'Net' works, this chapter will provide you with a number of precious answers. Together, we'll revisit the hectic journey of a data packet from the time it's conceived by an Internet server, until its destiny is accomplished in your computer. As with messengers, packets carry valuable information. Their purpose in life is simple: to find the best path to their addressee. However, in a network entangled with billions of links, how does your packet find its way through? How can streams of packets be delivered on time? You will appreciate the mechanisms that keep the network connected and stable. To those who are not network specialists, this chapter will provide all the elements required to tackle the more advanced networking concepts introduced in the rest of book. You will read about routers, packet switching, data buffering, message forwarding, the wonders of Dijkstra's algorithm and the tricks used to keep mobile terminals connected.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNetworks for Pervasive Services
Subtitle of host publicationSix Ways to Upgrade the Internet
EditorsA. Liotta, G. Exarchakos
PublisherSpringer
Pages15-38
Number of pages24
ISBN (Print)9789400714724
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Aug 2011

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Electrical Engineering
Volume92 LNEE
ISSN (Print)1876-1100
ISSN (Electronic)1876-1119

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