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Chapter 3: Networking
Communications
Data communication involves the flow of packets of data from one device to another. These devices
include personal computers, Ethernet, cable modems, digital routers and switches, and highly integrated
devices that combine functions, like the Wireless Cable Gateway.
The gateway integrates the functionality often found in two separate devices into one. It's both a cable
modem and an intelligent wireless gateway networking device that can provide a host of networking
features, such as NAT and firewall. Figure 2 illustrates this concept, with the cable modem (CM)
functionality on the left, and networking functionality on the right. In this figure, the numbered arrows
represent communication based on source and destination, as follows:
Type of Communication
1. Communication between the Internet and your PCs
Example: The packets created by your request for a page stored at a web site, and the contents of that
page sent to your PC.
2. Communication between your cable company and the cable modem side
Example: When your cable modem starts up, it must initialize with the cable company, which requires
the cable company to communicate directly with the cable modem itself.
3. Communication between your PCs and the networking side
Illustrations contained in this document are for representation only.
Chapter 3: Networking
Fig.45
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