What is a Network?

A network consists of two or more

computers that are linked in order to
share resources (such as printers and
CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic
communications. The computers on a
network may be linked through cables,
telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or
infrared light beams.
Two very common types of
networks
• Local Area Network (LAN
• Wide Area Network (WAN)
A Local Area
Network (LAN) is a
network that is
confined to a relatively
small area. It is
generally limited to a
geographic area such
as a writing lab,
WIDE AREA The customers can use
NETWORKS or WAN the network to relay and
store data or
are a form of communicate with other
telecommunication users, no matter their
networks that can location, as long as they
connect devices from have access to the
multiple locations and established WAN. Access
across the globe. can be granted via
different links, such as
WANs are the largest
virtual private networks
and most expansive (VPNs) or lines, wireless
forms of computer networks, cellular
What’s the Difference Between Wide Area
Network (WAN) and Local Area Network (LAN)?
There are many different forms of Two common examples of
area networks, but one of the LANs are ethernet and wireless
most common networks outside of networks. Wireless LANs are
WANs is the local area network, or also known as WLANs. Other
LAN. forms of telecommunication
networks include the following:
Whereas WANs can exist globally,
without ties to a physical location
• Personal area networks
through the use of a leased (PAN)
network provider, LANs exist • Metropolitan area networks
within a limited area. LANs can be (MAN)
used to access a greater WAN • Cloud or internet area
(such as the internet), but only networks (IAN)
within the area where the LAN’s
What Is the Purpose of a As organizations grow and
WAN Connection? become international,
If WAN connections didn’t WANs allow them to
exist, organizations would be communicate between
isolated to restricted areas or branches, share
specific geographic regions.
information and stay
LANs would allow
organizations to work within
connected. When
their building, but growth to employees travel for work,
outside areas — either WANs allow them to
different cities or even access the information
different countries — would they need to do their job.
not be possible because the WANs also help
associated infrastructure organizations share
would be cost prohibitive for information with
 NETWORK DEVICES
Network devices, also known as
networking hardware, are physical
devices that allow hardware on a
computer network to communicate and
interact with one another. For example
Repeater, Hub, Bridge, Switch, Routers,
Gateway, Brouter, and NIC, etc.
Hub is a small, simple,
inexpensive device that joins
multiple computers together.
Many network hubs available
today support the Ethernet
HUB
standard. Other types
including USB hubs also
exist, but Ethernet is the
type traditionally used in
home networking.
Ethernet switch is
a device that
gathers the signals ETHERNET SWITCH
from devices that
are connected to it,
and then
regenerates a new
copy of each
signal.
Bridge is a
device that filters
data traffic at a
network
boundary. Bridges
reduce the
amount of traffic
on a LAN by
dividing it into
two segments
Routers is a device that
connects two or more packet-
switched networks or
subnetworks. It serves two
primary functions: managing
traffic between these
networks by forwarding data
ROUTERS
packets to their intended IP
addresses, and allowing
multiple devices to use the
A packet switched
network (PSN) is a type
of computer
communications
network that groups and
sends data in the form
of small packets. It
enables the sending of
data or network packets
between a source and
destination node over a
network channel that is
shared between multiple
Network gateway
is an
internetworking
system capable of
joining together two
networks that use
different base
protocols. A network
gateway can be
implemented
NETWORK
completely in
GATEWAY
software,
completely in
Modem is a contraction
of the terms modulator MODEM
and demodulator.
Modems perform a simple
function: They translate
digital signals from a
computer into analog
signals that can travel
across conventional
phone lines. The modem
modulates the signal at
the sending end and
demodulates at the
What is the difference A router forms networks
between a router and and manages the flow of
a modem? data within and between
Although some Internet those networks, while a
service providers (ISPs) modem connects those
may combine a router networks to the Internet.
and a modem within a Modems forge a
single device, they are connection to the
not the same. Each plays Internet by converting
a different but equally signals from an ISP into
important role in
a digital signal that can
connecting networks to
be interpreted by any
each other and to the
A single device may
plug into a modem in
order to connect to
the Internet;
alternately, a router
can help distribute
this signal to multiple
devices within an
established network,
allowing all of them to
connect to the
A router forms networks and manages the flow
of data within and between those networks,
while a modem connects those networks to the
Internet. Modems forge a connection to the
Internet by converting signals from an ISP into a
digital signal that can be interpreted by any
connected device. A single device may plug into
a modem in order to connect to the Internet;
alternately, a router can help distribute this
signal to multiple devices within an established
network, allowing all of them to connect to the
Network interface is a
device that connects a NETWORK INTERFACE
client computer, server,
printer or other component
to your network. Most often,
a network interface consists
of a small electronic circuit
board that is inserted into a
slot inside a computer or
printer. Alternatively, some
computers, printers, or
other services include
network interfaces as part
of their main circuit boards
(motherboards).
Network firewall protects a
computer network from NETWORK
unauthorized access. Network FIREWALL
firewalls may be hardware
devices, software programs, or
a combination of the two.
Network firewalls guard an
internal computer network
(home, school, business
intranet) against malicious
access from the outside.
Network firewalls may also be
configured to limit access to
the outside from internal
users.