Network - Introduction: (N.) A Network Is A Group of Two or More Computer Systems Linked Together

Network - introduction
(n.) A network is a group of two or more computer systems linked together.
Types of computer network

 local-area networks (LANs) : The computers are geographically close together (that is, in the same building)
.
 wide-area networks (WANs) : The computers are farther apart and are connected by telephone lines or radio
waves
.
 campus-area networks (CANs): The computers are within a limited geographic area, such as a campus or
military base.
 metropolitan-area networks MANs): A data network designed for a town or city.
 home-area networks (HANs): A network contained within a user's home that connects a person's digital devices.
Purposes of computer network
Computer networks can be used for a variety of purposes:
 Facilitating communications. Using a network, people can communicate efficiently and easily via
email, instant messaging, chat rooms, telephone, video telephone calls, and video conferencing.
 Sharing hardware. In a networked environment, each computer on a network may access and
use hardware resources on the network, such as printing a document on a shared network printer.
 Sharing files, data, and information. In a network environment, authorized user may access data
and information stored on other computers on the network. The capability of providing access to data
and information on shared storage devices is an important feature of many networks.
 Sharing software. Users connected to a network may run application programs on remote
computers.
 Information preservation.
 Security.
 Speed up.
Network classification
The following list presents categories used for classifying networks.
Connection method
Computer networks can be classified according to the hardware and software technology that is used to
interconnect the individual devices in the network, such as optical fiber, Ethernet, wireless
LAN,HomePNA, power line communication or G.hn.
Ethernet as it is defined by IEEE 802 utilizes various standards and mediums that enable communication
between devices. Frequently deployed devices include hubs, switches, bridges, or routers. Wireless LAN
technology is designed to connect devices without wiring. These devices use radio
waves or infrared signals as a transmission medium. ITU-T G.hn technology uses existing home
wiring(coaxial cable, phone lines and power lines) to create a high-speed (up to 1 Gigabit/s) local area
network.
Wired technologies
 Twisted pair wire is the most widely used medium for telecommunication. Twisted-pair cabling
consist of copper wires that are twisted into pairs. Ordinary telephone wires consist of two insulated
copper wires twisted into pairs. Computer networking cabling consist of 4 pairs of copper cabling that
can be utilized for both voice and data transmission. The use of two wires twisted together helps to
reduce crosstalk and electromagnetic induction. The transmission speed ranges from 2 million bits
per second to 100 million bits per second. Twisted pair cabling comes in two forms which are
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) and Shielded twisted-pair (STP) which are rated in categories which
are manufactured in different increments for various scenarios.
 Coaxial cable is widely used for cable television systems, office buildings, and other worksites for
local area networks. The cables consist of copper or aluminum wire wrapped with insulating layer
typically of a flexible material with a high dielectric constant, all of which are surrounded by a
conductive layer. The layers of insulation help minimize interference and distortion. Transmission
speed range from 200 million to more than 500 million bits per second.
 Optical fiber cable consists of one or more filaments of glass fiber wrapped in protective layers. It
transmits light which can travel over extended distances. Fiber-optic cables are not affected by
electromagnetic radiation. Transmission speed may reach trillions of bits per second. The
transmission speed of fiber optics is hundreds of times faster than for coaxial cables and thousands
of times faster than a twisted-pair wire. [citation needed]
Wireless technologies
 Terrestrial microwave – Terrestrial microwaves use Earth-based transmitter and receiver. The
equipment look similar to satellite dishes. Terrestrial microwaves use low-gigahertz range, which
limits all communications to line-of-sight. Path between relay stations spaced approx, 30 miles apart.
Microwave antennas are usually placed on top of buildings, towers, hills, and mountain peaks.
 Communications satellites – The satellites use microwave radio as their telecommunications

medium which are not deflected by the Earth's atmosphere. The satellites are stationed in space,
typically 22,000 miles (for geosynchronous satellites) above the equator. These Earth-orbiting
systems are capable of receiving and relaying voice, data, and TV signals.
 Cellular and PCS systems – Use several radio communications technologies. The systems are
divided to different geographic areas. Each area has a low-power transmitter or radio relay antenna
device to relay calls from one area to the next area.
 Wireless LANs – Wireless local area network use a high-frequency radio technology similar to
digital cellular and a low-frequency radio technology. Wireless LANs use spread spectrum technology
to enable communication between multiple devices in a limited area. An example of open-standards
wireless radio-wave technology is IEEE.
 Infrared communication , which can transmit signals between devices within small distances not
more than 10 meters peer to peer or ( face to face ) without any body in the line of transmitting.
Scale
Networks are often classified as local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), metropolitan area
network (MAN), personal area network (PAN), virtual private network (VPN), campus area
network (CAN), storage area network (SAN), and others, depending on their scale, scope and purpose,
e.g., controller area network (CAN) usage, trust level, and access right often differ between these types of
networks. LANs tend to be designed for internal use by an organization's internal systems and employees
in individual physical locations, such as a building, while WANs may connect physically separate parts of
an organization and may include connections to third parties.
Functional relationship (network architecture)

Computer networks may be classified according to the functional relationships which exist among the
elements of the network, e.g., active networking, client–server and peer-to-peer (workgroup) architecture.
Network topology
Main article: Network topology
Computer networks may be classified according to the network topology upon which the network is
based, such as bus network, star network, ring network, mesh network. Network topology is the
coordination by which devices in the network are arranged in their logical relations to one another,
independent of physical arrangement. Even if networked computers are physically placed in a linear
arrangement and are connected to a hub, the network has a star topology, rather than a bus topology. In
this regard the visual and operational characteristics of a network are distinct. Networks may be classified
based on the method of data used to convey the data, these include digital and analog networks.

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Network - introduction

(n.) A network is a group of two or more computer systems linked together.

Types of computer network

 metropolitan-area networks MANs): A data network designed for a town or city.

 Communications satellites – The satellites use microwave radio as their telecommunications

Functional relationship (network architecture)

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