Computer network
A computer network or data network is a telecommunications network which allows computers to exchange data.
Contents
Description
In computer networks, networked computing devices pass data to each other along data connections (network links).
Data is transferred in the form of packets.
The connections between nodes are established using either cable media or wireless media.
The Internet
The best-known computer network is the Internet.
Nodes
Network computer devices that originate, route and terminate the data are called network nodes.
Nodes can include hosts such as personal computers, phones, and servers, as well as networking hardware.
Two devices networked together
Two such devices are said to be "networked together" when one device is able to exchange information with the other device, whether or not they have a direct connection to each other.
Components
Computer networks differ in the transmission media used to carry their signals, the communications protocols to organize network traffic, the network's size, topology and organizational intent.
Communications protocols
In most cases, communications protocols are layered on (i.e. work using) other more specific or more general communications protocols, except for the physical layer that directly deals with the transmission media.
Applications
Computer networks support applications such as:
- Access to the World Wide Web
- Shared use of application and storage servers
- Printers and fax machines
- Use of email and instant messaging applications
See also
- Application server
- Bandwidth (computing)
- Computer science
- Digital computer
- Concurrent computing
- Internet
- Node (computer science)
- Remote computer
- Telecommunication
- World Wide Web
External links
- Computer network @ Wikipedia
