Networking Principles

Networks of computers are being constructed at an amazing pace. In 1990 it was estimated that there were about 3,000 computer networks with a total of 200,000 computers connected to them. Currently the number of connected computers is estimated in excess of one million.

What is a computer network? Simply put, a network is a group (two or more) of computers connected together by a bunch of cables or some other means (radiofrequency, fiber optics, etc.). In order to accomplish this, each computer has a special piece of hardware (a network adapter or network card) installed inside that connects to a cable. Software installed on the computer knows how to communicate with the network adapters and to other application software that is installed on the machine. How computers communicate with each other is defined by a set of rules: a protocol. Computer networks such as the Internet can span the entire world, but Local Area Networks (LAN) are typically confined to a well-defined, limited area such as a building or room. Local networks can be interconnected into larger networks (Wide Area Networks or WAN's) using a variety of techniques.

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