Computer networks
- 2. Computer Networks A computer network is an interconnection of multiple devices, also known as hosts, that are connected using multiple paths for the purpose of sending/receiving data or media. Computer networks can also include multiple devices/mediums which help in the communication between two different devices; these are known as Network devices and include things such as routers, switches, hubs, and bridges.
- 3. Types of Computer Networks
- 4. LAN LAN is the acronym for Local Access Network. A LAN network is a short-distance network. It connects computers that are close together, usually within a room or a building. Very rarely, a LAN network will span a couple of buildings. An example of a LAN network is the network in a school or an office building. A LAN network doesn’t need a router to operate.
- 5. WAN WAN stands for Wide Area Network. WANs cover a huge geographical area. A WAN is a collection of LAN networks. LANs connect to other LANs with the help of a router. The router has a LAN address and a WAN address, which lets it send data to the desired location. The biggest WAN in the world is, of course, the Internet. WANs are different from LANs in that they’re not owned by a single person/organization. They also use different technology that enables them to communicate over long distances, like Frame Relay and ATM.
- 6. VPN VPN stands for Virtual Private Networks. VPNs are very important today. They let you connect to your network from a remote location through the Internet. This saves you time and money- you don’t need to set up a physical connection with your network. The Internet acts as a medium between you and your network. For example, you can access your computer at work through your computer at home.
- 7. Parts of a Computer Network
- 8. Server A server is a computer designed to process requests and deliver data to another computer over the internet or a local network. A well-known type of server is a web server where web pages can be accessed over the internet through a client like a web browser. However, there are several types of servers, including local ones like file servers that store data within an intranet network.
- 9. A large, general-purpose network that supports a medium- sized company likely deploys several types of servers, including:
- 10. Web server A web server shows pages and runs apps through web browsers. The server your browser is connected to now is a web server that delivers this page and the images on it. The client program, in this case, is a browser like Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, or Safari. Web servers are used for many tasks in addition to delivering simple text and images, such as uploading and backing up files online through a cloud storage service or online backup service.
- 11. Email server Email servers send and receive email messages. If you have an email client on your computer, the software connects to an IMAP or POP server to download your messages to your computer, and an SMTP server to send messages back through the email server.
- 12. FTP server FTP servers move files through File Transfer Protocol tools. FTP servers are accessible remotely using FTP client programs, which connect to the file share on the server, either through the server's built-in FTP capabilities or with a dedicated FTP server program.
- 13. Identity Server Identity servers support logins and security roles for authorized users.
- 14. Client A client is a computer that connects to and uses the resources of a remote computer, or server. Many corporate networks comprise a client computer for each employee, each of which connects to the corporate server. The server provides resources like files, information, Internet and intranet access, and external processing power. In the case of processing, any work done on the server is referred to as "server-side" work. Any work done on the local client is similarly called "client-side."