Computer networks enable the sharing and central management of information, resources and applications across multiple devices in a scalable and secure fashion. Computer networks are an integral part of modern society and offer numerous benefits, including improved collaboration and communication and lower costs, enhanced safety and accessibility to data find this and resources.
Networks are constructed from two essential elements, links and nodes. Nodes are devices connected to networks like printers, computers and file servers. They are able to communicate with each other via a set of standard rules called communication protocol. Links connect these nodes with each other through wireless, optical or wired connections. A laptop that communicates with local networks via Wi-Fi is a node (DTE) and an link (DCE). Network switches and routers act as traffic police, directing data packets to their intended destination efficiently.
A wide area network (WAN) is a larger-scale network which uses bridges and gateways to interconnect several LANs. A WAN is different from a local area network (LAN), is connected to global communication networks as well as the Internet. For example, students in Florida can connect to peers in Tokyo using their computers thanks to a WAN and a bridge that connects them.
Computer networks aid in streamlining processes and create a more collaborative and engaging workplace. For instance employees can save documents to an online server that is regularly backed up on an ongoing basis, instead of sending documents back and forth, which could result in lost files. Users can also access the standard versions of customer or employee manuals on the network, which guarantees consistency and accuracy.
