Extended definition
- 1. What is a network? is TCP/IP or Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A network can be defined as any system of lines or channels interlacing or crossing. This term can Communication Media- A communication media be used across multiple disciplines. Examples of a is a channel that enables a connection to a network can be a network of veins, a network of network. Examples are a Fiber Optic connection, a railroads, or a power transmission network. In wireless access point, a phone line, or network this document we will be using the definition of a cable (often referred to as CAT5 or patch cable.) network in terms of the computer industry. Routers/Switches- A physical device that joins What is a computer network? multiple wired or wireless networks together. A router is used to connect an organization's Local A computer network is a system of computers Area Network to the Internet or other external, linked together by communication channels off-site network. A switch is used internally on a allowing the exchange of data between the linked Local Area Network to connect nodes inside the computers. The first computer network was network. developed by ARPANET under the Department of Defense in the 1960s. The What are some types project included UCLA, of Networks? Stanford, UC Santa Local Area Network (LAN)- Barbara, & the University A local area network of Utah. connects nodes over a What makes up a relatively short distance. computer network? Examples of a LAN would be a single office building, Node(s)- A Node is any school, or home. A LAN device with a network can also span multiple interface card that buildings in a campus but connects to a network within the same geographical location. through an established medium and protocol. Examples of a node are computers, servers, Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)-A WAN is a printers, tablets, and smart phones. network of nodes that span a physical area larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN. An example Network Interface Card (NIC)- A network of this would be a city owning a network that interface card is a component on a node that employees could access across the entire region. establishes a physical connection to the network. This can include both wired and wireless adapters Wide Area Network (WAN)- A WAN is a each with a unique identification number or MAC geographically-dispersed collection of LANs. The (Media-Access Control ID). main difference between a LAN and a WAN is that a WAN is not owned by a single organization or Protocol- A protocol is an industry standard entity. communication language established to allow nodes on a network to talk with each other. The Internet- The internet is the largest Wide Area most common protocol in the computer industry Network in the world. This is why it is called the World Wide Web and uses the term WWW.