Communication and Content Technology

Network

consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications.

• The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.

Networking can be classified into three types:

1. Types of Computer Networks 2. Topology 3. Interpreters

(LAN)

Local Area Network

(PAN)

Personal Area Network

(MAN)

Metropolitan Area Network

(WAN)

Wide Area Network

(VPN)

Virtual Private Network

Local Area Network (LAN)

is a network that is confined to a relatively small area.

personal area network (PAN)

connects electronic devices within a user's immediate area.

metropolitan area network (MAN)

is a computer network that connects computers

wide area network (WAN)

covers over a country or a larger range of people.

virtual private network (VPN)

is constructed by using public wires to connect to a private network

Network Repeater

Used to generate incoming electrical, wireless or optical signals

Network Hub

- It is a small network device. It joins multiple computers together to form a single network segment. On this segment, all computers can interact with each other

Network Switch

It is a small hardware device which joins multiple computers together with a single LAN

Network Router

This device interfaces in multiple networks whose task is to copy packages from one network to another. It provides connectivity inside enterprises, between Enterprises and the Internet and within an ISP

Network Bridge

It reads the outermost section of the data packet to tell where the message is going. It reduces the traffic on other network segments.

Modem

This device converts digital signals into analog signals. It is always placed between a telephone and a computer system