Networking > A Brief Overview
The first computer networks were time-sharing networks which used attached terminals and mainframes. Networks such as these were implemented by digital network architecture and IBM’s System Network Architecture (SNA).
Around the time of the computer revolution, Local Area Networks (LANs) evolved and provided fault tolerant, high-speed data networks that covered a small geographic area, usually confined to a group of buildings or a single building.
LANs now provide computer users access to applications and devices, allowing them to share files and communicate via email. Wide Area Networks (WANs) can interconnect LANs to provide cover over a broader geographic area. They often use transmission features supplied by common carriers.
Together, LANs and WANs make up the majority of computer network use. The world-wide web is commonly regarded as the broadest WAN in existence.
There are, however, a number of other types of computer network with distinguishing characteristics, these can be categorised by:
· Architecture – whether the computer network is using either client-server or peer-to-peer architecture.
· Topology – that is, the geometric arrangement of a computer system. Examples of this are a bus, ring and star.
· Protocols and standards – Examples of protocols are IP/TCP. Examples of standards are Token Ring and Ethernet. Basically, these are the common sets of signals or rules which dictate how a computer on a network communicates
To get a computer network up and running involves the implementation of the following:
· A device - usually a network interface card (NIC) - on each computer in the connection. This enables the individual computer to be connected to the network.
· Hubs or switches - you will need to install hardware known as hubs or switches to act as connection points on each computer.
· Wires or cables to act as connection mediums - computer to computer - connecting to the server. These aren’t necessary if you wish to use wireless communication between networked computers.
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