What is computer network (Fully Explained)
A computer network is a system where two or more computing devices are linked to exchange and share information.
What Is a Computer Network?
A Computer Network refers to the interconnection of various computers that share an operating system, hardware, and information through a transmission mode. There are no limitations on the distance between two computers in a network.
A computer network consists of the following components:
Nodes (Workstations)
The various terminals connected to the network that share its resources are referred to as nodes.
1. Server
A specific node is designated as the main or central node with a well-known and permanent address to support the network. The node that provides the service is termed the server.
2. Network Interface Unit
The device that connects the server to multiple nodes is called the Network Interface Unit. This unit links the server with all workstations to maintain the connection.
Elements of a Computer Network
The computer network includes the following networking components:
1. Sender
The computer that wishes to send a message to a mainframe or other computers.
2. Receiver
The computer that receives data from the sender who intends to communicate.
3. Communication Medium
This is the medium through which the sender connects to the receiver. It can be wired if the distance is short, or wireless if the distance is significantly greater.
4. Protocols
These are a set of rules that the sender and receiver agree to follow.
Types of Computer Networks
The following are the different types of computer networks:
- Personal Area Network (PAN): A small network designed for communication between personal devices such as phones, laptops, and tablets.
- Local Area Network (LAN): A network that connects computers within a limited area, like a home, office, or building.
- Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): A LAN that utilizes wireless technology, such as Wi-Fi, to connect devices.
- Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): This type of network covers a city or a large campus, linking several LANs together.
- Wide Area Network (WAN): A network that spans a vast geographical region, typically connecting various MANs or LANs.
- Campus Area Network (CAN): A network designed to connect multiple LANs within a confined space, like a university or corporate campus.
- Storage Area Network (SAN): A high-speed network that facilitates access to centralized storage devices.
- System Area Network: A network utilized to link high-performance computers within a data center or cluster.
- Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN): A point-to-multipoint LAN design that employs fiber optics to minimize costs and infrastructure needs.
- Enterprise Private Network (EPN): A private network that businesses use to securely link their various locations.
- Virtual Private Network (VPN): A secure network that leverages the internet to connect remote users to a private network.
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