This column is based on the premise that
computers are only truly useful if they are connected to one another.
Michael J. Norton untangles the wires and explains the various networking
options that are available to us and how to use them.
Multicast Architectures
IP multicast allows a server to provide a single source of content simultaneously to multiple receivers. In this last installment of "Networking," Michael Norton explains the magic of multicasting. Aug. 10, 2001
Exploring the Transport Layer
The transport layer of the OSI Network model, Layer 4, is the layer that makes client-server applications a reality. Michael Norton explains how this layer works. Jul. 13, 2001
Net Surfing With IP Protocol
A look at the routed protocol that not only ushered in a new revolution in the 1990s, but also drove the stock market wild -- the IP protocol. Jun. 29, 2001
Understanding Routing Protocols
Do you know your routing protocols: BGP, IGRP, and OSPF? This week Michael Norton explains the various routing protocols and shows you how to configure them. May. 22, 2001
Layer 3 Switching -- Introducing the Router
On the Internet, packets are relayed incrementally, hop by hop (router by router) until they reach their destination. How is this accomplished? Michael Norton explains the router's role in this week's networking column. Apr. 13, 2001
Understanding Spanning Tree Protocol -- the Fundamental Bridging Algorithm
Isn't network redundancy supposed to be a good idea? It is until bandwidth becomes saturated with just a single broadcast request. Mar. 30, 2001
Basics of Network Segmentation: Switching and Bridging
Managing network traffic is easy when just a few computers are online. But networks always grow. Here are a few techniques for handling rapid network growth. Mar. 16, 2001
What Goes on in the Wire
Learn how networked computers find each other using the unicast or broadcast Ethernet frame. Michael Norton also explains the role of the MAC address in this third installment of his networking series. Mar. 2, 2001
The Scholar's Approach to the Internet
The complicated network architecture is much more understandable if we break it into layers and examine the role each layer plays. Michael Norton does just that in the second installment of his networking column. Feb. 9, 2001
Fundamentals of an Internetwork
Michael J. Norton introduces a new series of articles that will cover a broad scope of networking aspects, starting out with basic terminology and then moving on to advanced concepts such as configuring network hardware. Jan. 30, 2001
