what is a Network?
A network is a system that is made up of various links. any website that allows for a user to link from other’s websites is known as a social networking site. any connection you have with your fiends is known as a personal network. some examples of every day networks are:
- mail delivery system
- telephone system
- public transportation system
- corporate computer network
- the internet
networks can be useful in helping to link computers to share data and helps in more than one computer being able to the same printer, without having to buy a separate printer for each computer. As well as printers networks also help in connecting up mobile phones, game consoles and televisions like the ones in store that preview the same film at the same time. when a network is transferring data it can take different paths to get to where it needs to be, by taking the fastest route.
A good example of the various paths is that if you wanted to get from one side of London to the other it is easier and faster to go round through the out side lanes around London as there is less traffic, instead of going through the centre of London where there is a lot more traffic.
Uses of Networks
One thing that computer networks are used in mostly is businesses, homes, schools and government agencies. They are mainly connected using the internet. The devices that can be connected to a Network are:
- Laptops and desktop computers
- printers and scanners
- smart phones and PDA’s
another way that networks are useful is in the way that if you are on one computer a need information from another you can access it. Three main ways they are connected in are by using copper cabling, fibre optics cabling and wireless connection.
- The 6 benefits of networking
- fewer peripherals needed
- increased communication capabilities
- avoids file duplication and corruption
- lower cost licensing
- centralized administration
- conserves resources
LAN, WAN and WLAN
LAN = local area network, meaning lots of devices interconnected to one administrated control. LANs are networks in homes schools buildings etc. LANs usually are of a short distance although it is not always the case though.
WAN = wide area network, meaning they are networks in which connect LANs in separate locations. An example of of a WAN is the internet as it is made up of lots of LANs.
WLAN = wireless local area network, if has all the capabilities and consistency of a LAN network, but it is wireless instead of being connected up.
By Luke Nutter