Networking is the
process of connecting two or more computing devices with each other for sharing
data. Computer networks are constructed using hardware and software.
Area Networks
Computer networks are
categorized in various different ways. According to one approach the networks
are defined on the basis of geographic area which it covers.
Local Area Networks(
LANs) is used to connect a single home,
small office building, school whereas wide area network(WANs) is able to
connect cities, states or more wider areas. Internet is considered as world
largest public WAN.
Network design
Computer networks can
also be defined on the basis of design approach. The two most common form of
network design are client/server and peer to peer. Client server network
comprises centralized server computer that can store email, files, web pages
and applications. On the other hand in a peer to peer network, all computers
will be able to support the same functions. Client server networks find its
application in business whereas peer to peer networks are most commonly used in
homes.
A network topology
defines its structure and layout from the point of view of data flow. In bus
network, for example, all the computers communicate and share across one common
conduit. While in a star network all the data flow takes place through one
centralized device.
Common network
topologies are bus, ring network, star and mesh networks.
Network Protocols
Computer devices use
communication languages which are called network protocols. The set of
protocols that computer network support is another way to classify them. Networks
often use multiple protocols and each of them supports specific applications.
One of the popular protocol is TCP/IP which is also the most common protocol
found on the internet and in home networks.
Home Networking
Home Networks are
managed by ordinary homeowners with little or no technical knowledge. Broadband
router hardware produced by various manufactures has been designed to simplify
home network setup. With the help of home broadband routers; devices in
different rooms can efficiently share a broadband internet connection and that
allow people to easily share the files and printer within a particular network
and increase overall network security.
Home networks have
grown with each generation of new technology. Earlier people commonly use home
network to connect a few PC, and share some of the documents, but now there is
increased usage of network game consoles, smart phones for streaming video and
sound and digital video recorders. Home automation systems have grown in
popularity with arrival of practical system for controlling lights, appliances
and digital thermostats.
Business Networks
Often businesses
require an additional communication, security and data storage therefore a
business network contain multiple LANs. Companies with large set up uses wide
area networking to connect various branch offices together. Voice over IP
communication, back up technologies and network storage are most common in
businesses. Some of the big companies also have their internal websites called
intranets for connecting to other employees.
Internet and Networking
Computer networking
has gained immense popularity with the introduction of World Wide Web (www) in
the 1990s. Public web sites, peer to peer file sharing systems and a large no.
of services run on internet servers all over the world.
Wired and Wireless Networking
Most
common network protocols like TCP/IP, has its efficiency in wired and wireless
networks. Networks with Ethernet cables are more commonly used in businesses,
homes and schools for the several decades. Wireless networking has emerged as
the popular technology for building new computer networks which include
smartphones and other wireless gadgets that have contributed to the rise of
mobile networking.
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