Network Components

Network Components

Switch – a computer networking device that connects other devices together on a computer network, by using packet switching.

Router- this is used to provide access to the internet and is a device that forwards data packets between computer networks.

NIC – short for network interface card (and also referred to as the Ethernet card), is an expansion card that enables a computer to connect to a network; such as a home network, or the Internet.

Modem- it is a device that provides access to the internet. It is used to allow the router to be connected to wireless internet.

 Network cable - used to connect one network device to other network devices or to connect two or more computers to share a printer etc.

 Wireless access point – also known as AP, is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using wireless internet, or related network.

LAN and WAN

LAN and WAN
LAN- LAN stands for Local Area Network. It is a computer network that is provided to a relatively small area. Most LAN'S are limited to a single building or a group of buildings. However one LAN can be connected to other LAN'S through telephone lines and radio waves.

WAN- WAN stands for Wide Area Network. It is a computer network that spans a relatively large geographical area. They are often connected through public networks, such as the telephone system. They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites.

The internet and a Network

What is the Internet?
The internet is a global network that provides a variety of information and communication sources. It enables computers to send one another small packets of digital data.

WWW and the internet 

The internet is a global network that provides a variety of information and communication systems, one of these information systems(web pages)are called the World Wide Web.

The difference between them is that the World Wide Web is provided by the internet. 

What is a Network?

A network (computer network) is a group of two or more computer systems (mobile phones, printers etc.)  which are all linked together. The two main types of networks are called LAN (local area networks) and WAN (wide area networks).

Using radio waves, copper wires and many other things, you are sharing data (pictures, emails, files, documents, videos etc.) between different computer systems.

Introduction

Introduction

In this blog, I will be talking about various things to do with networking. Each post will be either a brief description of key things that you will need for a network, or an entire page about different types of networks.