Network Communication:
- Interprocess communication (IPC) is fundamental to distributed systems
- Network protocols are arranged in hierarchical layers
- Data flows top-to-bottom when sending, bottom-to-top when receiving
Protocol Stack (bottom to top):
- Link Layer
- Handles local network communications (Ethernet, Wi-Fi)
- Interfaces with network hardware
- Switches operate here using MAC addresses
- Example protocol: Ethernet
- Internet Layer
- Routes packets between machines across networks
- Core protocol: IP (Internet Protocol)
- Uses destination IP addresses
- Routers operate at this layer
- Best-effort packet delivery
- Transport Layer
- Manages process-to-process communication
- Uses port numbers for addressing
- Key protocol: TCP
- Application Layer
- High-level protocols
- Examples: HTTP, DNS
- Where most application code operates