Cyber security and intelligence

IP means Internet Protocol.

The IP address is a 32-bit address given to computers, switches, and routers, so as for them to be easily located by other devices on the network. This exists in two versions currently, which are IPv4 (IP version 4) and IPv6 (IP version 6).

IPv4 is the most commonly used. It is written as a set of 12 numbers separated by dots in three(s), e.g., 192.168.231.254 or it can be written shorter if the first number is zero, i.e., 010.002.001.001 can be written as 10.2.1.1

IPv6 is currently not very common in use. It was developed when the challenges of increasing IP address depletion had to be met. It is written in the form 2031:0000:130F:0000:0000:09C0:876A:130B. It contains both numbers and alphabets.

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MAC

MAC (Media Access Control) address is a 64-bit manufacturer’s address burnt on the motherboards of computers, routers, and switches. Every computer, switch, or router has a MAC address that is unique to itself. This is a source of unique identity to electronic devices for easy recognition. It is as unique as the fingerprint of human beings.

Subnet mask

Subnet mask helps to determine the class of an IP address, as it is assigned to computers, routers, or switches alongside an IP address to clarify its class or network.

• For class A IP address – subnet mask, is written as 255.0.0.0

• For class B IP address – subnet mask is written as 255.255.0.0

• For class C IP address – subnet mask is written as 255.255.255.0

Domain Name Service (DNS)

DNS is a service of translating or transforming human-readable names to IP addresses and vice versa. You may use a DNS record lookup to find out the resolving IP address.

Dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)

DHCP is a service of automatically assigning IP addresses to host devices such as computers. This function is carried out by a router (only when it is configured to do so).

Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)

VLAN is a method of logically separating a LAN and making it look like different networks in one. Physically its one network, but logically they are different networks. This is done by a switch (only when configured to do so).

WI-FI

Wi-Fi is a method of connecting computers to a network without the use of cables, i.e. wireless networking, which involves the use of Wi-Fi-enabled computers, access points, wireless routers, etc.

Scalability

This is the ability of a network to expand such that it gives room for more devices to be interconnected and integrated into the network without causing any major changes to the whole network.