A computer network is basically a collection of computers which use a series of commonly used communication protocols such as the TCP/IP protocol to access shared resources over the internet or hardware devices. This is an extremely complex system, which involves a number of components including hardware, operating systems, routers, and IP telephones. The network is typically controlled by management software and can be operated using a command and control (C&C) interface. In order to provide security, reliability, and efficient network operation, various levels of security are in place on most computer networks.
Computer networks are used by companies for various purposes including corporate data storage, document storage, network application software, electronic mail, and telephony. Computer network architecture refers to the set of communications protocols and computer technology used within a computer network to enable communication. Networking is an important aspect of information technology (IT) since it enables information to be rapidly transferred from one location to another. In computer networks, computers communicate with one another to transfer stored information, access information, and process orders or messages. Computers form the basis of a network which consists of many different components.
Computers and their components are separated into logical systems and physical systems. logical systems refer to the applications that run on a computer and physical systems refer to hardware components. There is a great deal of communication between computers and between different types of devices. Communication in computer networks occurs between different types of networked computing devices such as local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and remote computers. In a local area network, computers in a local area network to share resources such as memory, processing power, and storage devices. Wide area networks, on the other hand, connect a central processing unit or server to a number of local computers through various mediums such as cable, wireless, and wireless.
Networking in a broader sense refers to the set of technologies and principles that enable data to be transmitted and converted between two or more networks. The primary objective of networking is to allow devices on one network to become attached to devices on other networks. This facilitates the transfer of electronic information or data between various devices. A computer network therefore, facilitates the communication of various computers, including those in the office and at home.
Today, there are different types of computer networking technologies used to connect computing devices. The most popular ones are fiber optic networking, packet-switching technology, ATM, and ISDN. Fiber optic networking involves the use of light-speed telecommunications networks, whereas packet switching technology transmits data in packets. ATM is a type of technology that transfers information between two or more computers in an efficient manner, which is faster than standard computer networking.
Another popular type of computer network in use today is the personal area network, also referred to as PAN. It is an area network consisting of a collection of personal computers connected to each other via a network cable or wireline. The term "personal computers" refers to computers that are meant to be used by a single user. PANs are useful in that they can be used to simplify the management of the various tasks performed by personal computers, such as access to a word processor, the Internet, email, instant messaging, and so on.
Computer network security is an essential aspect of network infrastructure management. One method of securing a network is to apply a router-based firewall technology. This method prevents unauthorized access to a computer system or information from the outside world. There are many other means of securing a computer network, including the use of antivirus software and content filtering programs. Computer networking also includes installation of hardware devices that implement various protocols such as the Wide Area Network, or the WAN, and the Local Area Network, or LAN.
The Wide Area Network, or the WAN, is a geometrical model of a global network that encompasses all the terrestrial areas that are connected via phone lines, cable lines, or wireless telephony equipment to a central data center. Thus, the term "wide area network" refers to the computer network which is broken into smaller components. On the other hand, the LAN is a configuration of a router that connects two or more local area networks via wired or wireless telephony equipment. The advantage of a LAN over a WAN is that it can exist within a large geographical area without much constraint. The disadvantages of a WAN include the lack of portability, short-distance communication, and the potential for collision between traffic originating from two or more different areas.
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