Understanding the Different Types of Networks in computer Science

 

Introduction to computer networks

We are living in a connected world. Information is being produced, exchanged, and traced across the globe in real time. It's possible as almost everyone and everything in the digital world is interconnected through one way or the other.

 A group of two or more similar things or people interconnected with each other is called network.

 Some of the examples of network in our everyday life includes: 

 • Social network

 • Mobile network 

 • Network of computers

 • Airlines, railway, banks, hospitals networks

A computer network is an interconnection among two or more computers or computing devices. Such interconnection allows computers to share data and resources among each other. A basic network may connect a few computers placed in a room. 

 The network size may vary from small to large depending on the number of computers it connects. A computer network can include different types of hosts (also called nodes) like server, desktop, laptop, cellular phones. 

Apart from computers, networks include networking devices like switch, router, modem, etc. Networking devices are used to connect multiple computers in different settings. For communication, data in a network is divided into smaller chunks called packets. These packets are then carried over a network. Devices in a network can be connected either through wired media like cables or wireless media like air. In a communication network, each device that is a part of a network and that can receive, create, store or send data to different network routes is called a node. In the context of data communication, a node can be a device such as a modem, hub, bridge, switch, router, digital telephone handset, a printer, a computer or a server.

Interconnectivity of computing devices in a network allows us to exchange information simultaneously with many parties through email, websites, audio/video calls, etc. Network allows sharing of resources. For example, a printer can be made available to multiple computers through a network; a networked storage can be accessed by multiple computers. People often connect their devices through hotspot, thus forming a small personal network.

 Evolution of networking