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Computer Networking

The need to communicate is the basic need of modern world of information technology. And for communication one need to have a network perhaps that is the reason that computer networks play a vital role in building information technology infrastructure. While world is now more of a global village and every body needs to access his data flow less operations, quick response and instant access calls for best networks to stay top of your business. Life perhaps your daily fellow machines is considered impossible now.

Whether it is a multinational organization, an educational institution, a hospital or multiple user home environment effective networking and configuration are equally important in each of them.

Basically in a network a group of machines are interconnected to share multiple resources or to exchange data effectively from one machine to other. Some of the resources usually shared are Internet connection and printers from small to large set ups. The computer network involves both software applications as well as hardware components and devices.

The networks are usually of three types referred as intranet,extranet and the Internet and the various methods for networks are widely known as LANs,WANs,MANs and Wireless LANs and WANs. Lets look at each of them individually to understand them to some extent.

LAN stands for Local Area Network and is usually restricted to small geographical location such as two storeys of house, a small building or little distance.

In comparison to LAN, WAN is established over wide area as its name indicate Wide Area Network and covers large geographic areas usually two different places located in different cities can best describe WAN.

MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network and is a medium sized network. It usually serves the purpose of connecting and making communication possible between two branches of office in a single  city.

Another type of network is also called as Wireless LANs and WANs that makes the environment wireless without using any kind of copper,coaxial or optic fibers and ensure mobility and access most effectively.

The other components or devices that play an important role while setting up a network are hub,switches,routers,modems and Local Area Network Cards, network cables and optic fibers.

There are various ways in which the computers can be connected these ways are referred to as network topologies. The layout and design in which computers can be connected are star topology, ring topology, bus topology,tree topology and mesh topology.

In star topology all the computers are connected to central hub.In ring topologies there are two neighbors which communicate with each other, the information flows in one direction. Any disturbance in single device can take down the whole network.In bus topology a single cable act as backbone to which all devices are connected for data sharingTree topology contains multiple star topologies designed as bus topology. This layout is good for network that has scope to expand in future. Mesh Topology has multiple routes and can reach to the destination machine by deciding for the shortest possible path.

 

On Internet all the network is based upon the component  known as router that physically connect the two networks. This article gives you the basic idea to understand the computer network, its types, layout and design and the basic devices used to establish a network.