What Do Computer Networks Do?

Computer Networks are one of the important aspects of Computer Science. In the early days, it is used for data transmission on telephone lines and had a very limited use, but nowadays, it is used in a variety of places.

Computer Networks help in providing better connectivity that helps nowadays. Modern computer networks have the following functionality:

  • Computer Networks help in operating virtually
  • Computer Networks integrate on a large scale
  • Computer Networks respond very quickly in case of conditions change
  • Computer Networks help in providing data security

What is Computer Networking?

Computer networking is like having a group of friends who all have phones and can call or text each other. In computer networking, instead of phones, we have computers and instead of phone lines, we use cables, Wi-Fi, or other methods to connect them. When computers are connected to a network, they can share information and resources, like files, printers, and internet connections. This allows them to communicate with each other quickly and easily, just like friends talking on their phones.

A computer network consists of various kinds of nodes. Servers, networking hardware, personal computers, and other specialized or general-purpose hosts can all be nodes in a computer network. Hostnames and network addresses are used to identify them. In this article, we are going to discuss computer networking in detail.

Computer Networking

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What is a Computer Network?

A computer network is a system that connects many independent computers to share information (data) and resources. The integration of computers and other different devices allows users to communicate more easily. A computer network is a collection of two or more computer systems that are linked together. A network connection can be established using either cable or wireless media. Hardware and software are used to connect computers and tools in any network....

What Do Computer Networks Do?

Computer Networks are one of the important aspects of Computer Science. In the early days, it is used for data transmission on telephone lines and had a very limited use, but nowadays, it is used in a variety of places....

Key Components of a Computer Network

In simple terms, a computer network is made up of two main parts: devices (called nodes) and connections (called links). The links connect the devices to each other. The rules for how these connections send information are called communication protocols. The starting and ending points of these communications are often called ports....

How Does a Computer Network Work?

Computer Networks simply work using nodes and links. Data communication equipment is simply termed as Nodes. For example, Modems, Hubs, Switches, etc. whereas links in Computer networks can be referred to as a connection between two nodes. We have several types of links like cable wires, optical fibers, etc....

Criteria of a Good Network

Performance: It can be measured in many ways, including transmit time and response time. Transit time is the amount of time required for a message to travel from one device to another. Response time is the elapsed time between an inquiry and a response. The performance of the network depends on a number of factors, including the number of users, the type of medium & Hardware. Reliability: In addition to accuracy is measured by frequency of failure, the time it takes a link to recover from failure, and the network’s robustness in catastrophe.  Security: Network security issues include protecting data from unauthorized access, protecting data from damage and development, and implementing policies and procedures for recovery from breaches and data loss....

Goals of Computer Networking

Programs do not have to execute on a single system because of resource and load sharing Reduced costs – Multiple machines can share printers, tape drives, and other peripherals Reliability – If one machine fails, another can take its place Scalability (it’s simple to add more processors or computers) Communication and mail (people living apart can work together) Information Access (remote information access, access to the internet, e-mail, video conferencing, and online shopping) Entertainment that is interactive (online games, videos, etc.) Social Networking...

Types of Computer Networks

Division Based on Area Covered...

Types of Computer Network Architecture

Computer Network Architecture is of two types. These types are mentioned below....

Types of Enterprise Computer Networks

There are three main types of Enterprise Computer Networks which are mentioned below....

Key Objectives of Creating and Deploying a Computer Network

No industry—whether it’s education, retail, finance, tech, government, or healthcare—can function without well-designed computer networks. The larger the organization, the more complex the network becomes. Before starting the challenging job of creating and setting up a computer network, here are some key objectives to consider....

What is Network Topology?

The structure of the network and how each component is connected to the others are defined by the network topology. Different types of network topology are mentioned below:...

Bus Topology

Every computer and network device is connected to a single cable in a bus topology network. Linear Bus topology is defined as having exactly two terminals....

Ring Topology

The topology is named ring topology because one computer is connected to another, with the final one being connected to the first. Exactly two neighbors for each device. A signal is passed along the ring in one direction. Each ring incorporates a repeater....

Star Topology

Each device in a star topology has a dedicated point-to-point link to a central controller, which is commonly referred to as the HUB. There is no direct connection between the devices. Traffic between the devices is not allowed in this topology. As an exchange, the controller is used....

Mesh Topology

Every device in a mesh topology has dedicated point-to-point connectivity to every other device. The term “dedicated” refers to the fact that the link exclusively transports data between the two devices it links. To connect n devices, a fully connected mesh network contains n *(n-1)/2 physical channels....

Tree Topology

The topology of a tree is similar to that of a star. Nodes in a tree, like those in a star, are connected to a central hub that manages network traffic. It has a root node, which is connected to all other nodes, producing a hierarchy. Hierarchical topology is another name for it. The number of Star networks is connected via Bus in Tree Topology....

What is Internet?

The Internet is a larger network that allows computer networks controlled by enterprises, governments, colleges, and other organizations all over the world to communicate with one another. As a result, there is a tangle of cables, computers, data centers, routers, servers, repeaters, satellites, and Wi-Fi towers that allow digital data to go around the world....

How to Connect to the Internet?

We can connect to the internet in the following ways:...

Advantages of the Internet

Source of Entertainment: Online gaming, talking, browsing, music, movies, dramas, and TV series are quickly becoming the most popular ways to pass the time. Source of Information: There is no better place to conduct research than the internet. We can learn about the latest trends, communicate with experts without having to physically visit them, and seek professional advice over the Internet. E-Commerce: With the advancement of internet technology, large online E-commerce enterprises such as Amazon, Ali Baba, myntra, etc. have emerged. Working from home, collaborating with others, and having access to a global workforce are all advantages. Keeps Updated: Because there are hundreds of thousands of newsgroups and services that keep you updated with every tick of the clock, the Internet is a source of the most recent news....

Disadvantages of the Internet

Time Wastage: Most people believe that spending too much time on the internet is unhealthy for young people and leads to obesity.  Money Laundering: Aside from reputable sites, there are some Social Media Advertising sites that try to steal your personal information, credit card information, and even your pin code. You can easily become a victim of money scams if they get this information. Exposure to Private Data: It is now quite easy to decipher someone’s chat or email communication thanks to the hacking community. As we all know, data is transmitted in packets, which hackers can simply detect and reconstruct. Harassment & Threatening: Bullies exist online, just as they do in real life, and they can lower your self-esteem by harassing and threatening you. Some of these individuals may be persons who are aware of some of your personal details and dislike you and may use this information to harass you....

Conclusion

In conclusion, computer networking is essential because it allows computers to connect and communicate with each other. This connectivity enables them to share information and resources, making tasks easier and faster. Whether it’s a small network within a home or office (LAN) or a large network spreading across cities and countries (WAN), networking helps us stay connected, work together, and access the internet. It’s like having a team where everyone can instantly share ideas and tools, making collaboration smooth and efficient. So, computer networking is all about making connections that help us stay informed, productive, and connected to the world....

Frequently Asked Questions on Computer Networking – FAQs

What is a computer networking job?...