Introduction

With the explosion of the Internet, the Internet Protocol (IP) is the protocol of choice today. When you are designing an IP-based network, it is important to have a full understanding of Transmission Control Protocol/IP (TCP/IP) and how it relates to the conventions of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model. In dealing with a strictly TCP/IP network, you can take a simplified approach. The Department of Defense (DoD) modeled such a network model in four layers and related it directly to the OSI model.

In addition to the relationship of IP and the OSI model, you must understand addressing methodologies, routing policies, and testing and troubleshooting tools. This chapter briefly explains each of these concepts in the DoD s four-layer model.

When you are designing a wireless network, whether it is an addition to an existing network or an autonomous network, the principles introduced in this chapter will be a part of your design process. The process of communication between network devices, regardless of the technology used for transmission (wireless, Ethernet, optical, and so on), adhere to the principles of the OSI and DoD reference models. These general networking models are independent of the protocols or applications characteristic of a particular network.

In addition, communications between networks via the Internet is accomplished using the TCP/IP suite. As a result, the success of your network depends on you understanding how the protocol suite functions and knowing the network design requirements, such as an IP addressing scheme and routing protocols.

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