2. Difference between Software & Application:
Software Application
Software is a set of instruction or data
that operates the hardware.
Application is a package to perform a
specific task.
Software may executable or may not
be.
Application is always executable.
Software does not need user interaction
for functioning.
Application needs user interaction for
functioning.
Software is an all-encompassing term
for computer data.
Application is a type of software that
does a certain task.
Software is used as mediator between
user and hardware
Application is used only by end users.
Difference between Hardware, Software & Firmware:
Software Firmware Hardware
Software is generally set
of instruction to instruct
computer.
Firmware are generally a
type of software used to
control hardware device.
Hardware is the physical
components of a system
that the software and
firmware run on.
Various categories of
software include
application software,
computer programming
tools etc.
There are no such
categories of firmware.
It has four main
categories input device,
output device, storage
and internal components.
Type of software includes
application software,
shareware, system
software etc.
Type of firmware includes
BIOS, EFI (extendible
firmware interface) etc.
Type of hardware are
Remote, keyboard,
mouse, speaker etc.
Size of software is very
big and generally ranges
between hundred
kilobytes to few gigabytes.
Size of firmware is very
small and generally
ranges between few
kilobytes.
Hardware are physical
devices.
Software usually runs of
CPU and main processor.
Firmware does not run-on
CPU, instead runs on
smaller processors.
Programs are required to
run the hardware.
Difference between System software & Application Software:
System software Application software
System software is the type of software
which is the interface between
application software and system
On the other hand, application software
is the type of software which run as per
user request. It runs on the platform
which is provide by system software.
System software is used for operation
computer hardware.
Application software is used by user to
perform specific task.
3. System software are installed on the
computer when operation system is
installed.
Application software are installed
according to user’s requirements.
System software can run independently.
It provides platform for running
application software.
Application software can’t run
independently. They can’t run without
the presence of system software.
Some examples of system software’s are
compiler, assembler, debugger, driver
etc.
Some examples of application software’s
are word processor, web browser, media
player etc.
Addressing:
To uniquely identify each host or computer or device participating in network – this
is called addressing.
There are two types of addressing:
• Physical addressing – MAC addressing.
• Logical addressing – IP addressing.
MAC Addressing:
MAC (Media Access Control) address is unique identifier that is assigned to a NIC
(network interface controlled/card). It consists of a 48 bit or 64-bit address, which
is associated with the network adapter. MAC address can be hexadecimal format. It
is a unique number which is used to track a device in a network. MAC address
provides a secure way to find senders or receives in the network and helps prevent
unwanted network access. MAC address is also used in WIFI networks at the airport
for a specific device in order to identify it.
IP Addressing:
An IP address is a unique address that identifies a device on the internet or a local
network. IP stand for internet protocol which is the set of rules governing the
format of data sent via the internet or local network.
An IP address is divided into two parts: -
1. Network ID: It represents the number of networks.
2. Host ID: It represents the number of hosts.
There are two types of IP addressing: -
A. IPv4: Internet protocol version 4. Addressing as 32-bit number.
B. IPv6: A new version of IP. Addressing as 128 bits.
There are two types of IPV4: -
➢ Public IP addressing.
➢ Private IP addressing.
4. Public IP:
A public IP address is an IP address that is used to access the internet. Public IP
addresses can be routed on the internet, unlike private addresses.
Private IP:
A private IP address is a non-internet facing IP address on an internet network.
Private IP addresses are provided by networking devices such as router, using
network address translation.
HOST:
A host is a computer that has the capability of permitting access to network via a
user interface, specialized software, network address, protocol stack or any other
means. It can be a client, server or any other type of computer. Each host has a
unique identifier called a hostname that allows other computer access it.
Classes of IPv4:
Class A:
The first bit of the first octet is always set to 0. Thus, the first octet ranges from 1 –
127. The IP range 127 is reserved for loopback IP address or Police IP.
Class A IP have 3 network id and 1 host id.
Loopback IP:
A loopback address is a special IP address, 127.1.1.0 reserved by inter NIC for use
in testing network cards. This IP address corresponds to the software loopback
interface of the network card, which doesn’t have hardware associated with it and
does not require a physical connection to a network.
Class B:
An IP address which belongs to class B has the first two bits in the first octet set to
10.
Class B IP address range from 128 – 191 where network id 2 also host id 2.
Class C:
The first octet of class C IP address has its first three bits set to 110.
Class C IP address range from 192 to 223 where network id 3 and host id 1.
Class D:
Very first four bits of the first octet in class D IP address are set to 1110.
Class D IP range from 224 – 239.
5. Class E:
This IP class is reserved for experimental purpose only for R&D for study. IP
address in this class range from 240 - 255
