.: Computer Networking Fundamentals

By:Susan Jan

Category:Home / Computers / Networks

A computer network is a collection of two or more computers with communication between them through a medium. The communication medium can be through radio waves, wires, infrared, optical fibers etc.

Computer network is an integral part of our daily lives, with the most important reason being that of communication. The use of computer networking is to share resources like fax machines, printers, modems, files etc., and its other uses are database server, computer server, email, chat, internet etc. The computer to which the resources are attached is called the server and the other computers that access the resource are called clients. In peer-to-peer computer networks there are no servers.

The sharing of fax machines, printers, and modems amongst many computers and users reduce the operational cost. A database on a computer network is a very important application as it stores and runs many important data and jobs. Emails and chats can be used for instantaneous communication and sending of files on a computer network.

The computer networks are classified, depending upon the size, as Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN) and Personal Area Networks (PAN). The topology (topology is the way the computer networks and network resources are connected) of the networking can be classified as Bus Network, Ring Network and Star Network.

The networking hardware basically consists of wiring, network cards and a hub. Computer network cards are required so that one computer can understand what the other computer is “talking”. Network cards have a unique MAC address to identify computers on a computer network. Hubs connect all the computers in the network. Hubs can also be used to connect to other hubs to increase the size of the computer network. Two computers can be connected using Ethernet cards or phone lines or power lines for communication, with hardware kits available at roughly a cost of $100.

As the number of computers in an office or a home increases, so do the number of cables, so wireless networking is a viable solution. In wireless networking radio transreceivers or infrared signals are used to communicate between computers and devices. Examples of wireless networking include Wi-fi and Bluetooth technology, though there may be security issues involved in wireless networking. However there definitely is a stronger preference towards wireless networking nowadays among consumers.

Computer networks have added a new dimension to the 21st century. Today the cyber world is much faster and wider than the real world. This has all been made possible due to computer networks. Computer networks have revolutionized business, communication, travel, research, defense, society and almost all human endeavors. The evolution of computer networks has helped the technological revolution take a big leap forward.

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Article keywords: computer networking, wireless networking, home networking, networking hardware, networking products

Article Source: http://www.articles32.com

For more on Computer Networking visit Networking Solutions. Susan also writes at business-and-finance-hub.info.

.: New Networks Articles

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2). Network Security – The Real Vulnerabilities
Scenario: You work in a corporate environment in which you are, at least partially, responsible for network security. You have implemented a firewall, virus and spyware protection, and your computers are all up to date with patches and security fixes. You sit there and think about the lovely job you have done to make sure that you will not be hacked.

3). Small Business Networking: Suggesting Dedicated Servers to Clients
PC-based servers and LANs may be relatively mature technologies. However, small businesses need your firm’s expertise, more than ever. For these businesses, you'll need to select, configure, customize, secure and maintain the right small business networking tools for their unique needs. Real Small Business Networking Solutions Begin with Real Servers How.

4). Network Cabling: Available Options
As their IT consultant, your small business prospects and clients will need you to explain the different network cabling options available to them. Traditional Wired Ethernet (Category 5) Until very recently, Category 5 data cabling was the de facto standard for both enterprise and small business LANs. Today, you’ll find some enhancements available to Category 5 cabling, as well as booming interest in wireless Ethernet solutions.

5). Recognize And Understand Home Networking Components
If you have not decided already,you will soon want to network your two or more computers in your home. You want to be armed to the teach with knowledge of just what it takes to connect your computers to one another. You first should decide which network is best your you. If your computers are in the same room,the Wireless network should not be considered.

6). The Simplest Way to Get Online Passive Income
Based on my research, this seems to be the basic principle that website owners have been following to get passive income online: * Get many people to come to your website * Get them to click on your Adsense links Sounds simple enough. Get people into your website from Google search, then link out to an Adsense Ad. Search In – Adsense Out. Practically applying it to get sufficient commendable income, however, can be quite a challenge.

7). What is search engine gateway?
Navino launched its search engine gateway service recently. For most of the Internet surfers, search engine gateway is a pretty new concept compared with meta search engine or multi search engine. Put it in simple, it is a web service, which can let you search the best information from the best content providers in one website. When we try to find information everyday, most of us might go to Google.


.: Top Networks Articles

1). Computer Networking Fundamentals
Computer network is an integral part of our daily lives, with the most important reason being that of communication.

2). Router - Denial Of Service Attacks
Routers are not perfect. For that matter, nothing is. So if somebody wants to give a router more than it can handle there is a way to do this. We're going to take a look at what are called denial of service attacks. A router can only handle so much information coming into it at one time. Every machine has its limits and routers are no exceptions. Well, when the nasty trend of denial of service attacks started early this century, routers were unprepared for them.

3). Ethernet - explained
Do you use Ethernet? You might think that you don’t, but don’t be so sure. Ethernet is everywhere – if you use a networked computer, whether it’s at home or in your office, you’re using Ethernet. Ethernet is two things: a kind of cable for connecting computers together, and the method of communication that the computers use over the cables. Essentially, it is the glue that holds LANs (local area networks) together.

4). Building a Cat 5 Cable
This will show you step by step how to build an ethernet, Cat 5, or Cat 6 Cable.

5). Finding Your MAC Address On Wired And Wireless Network Cards
The Answer To The Media Access Control Question ---------------------------- Over the past few weeks I have received quite a few e-mails about Ethernet cards, both wired and wireless, and more specifically, about Media Access Control (MAC) addresses. I think the main reason I’ve received so many questions about Ethernet cards and MAC addresses is people trying to secure their home wireless networks and their desire to use MAC address filtering.

6). There’s no mystery in the IP address!
The Computer is a very complicated device we use for our every day comfort and the importance of some of its numerical aspects is sometimes neglected. For example: a different number is given to each computer when its user goes online or when it is part of a network. This number is the IP address and knowing about it is like knowing where you live… What’s my IP and what do its numbers stand for? IP stands for Internet Protocol and the address is formed from 4 numbers separated by periods.

7). Recognize And Understand Home Networking Components
If you have not decided already,you will soon want to network your two or more computers in your home. You want to be armed to the teach with knowledge of just what it takes to connect your computers to one another. You first should decide which network is best your you. If your computers are in the same room,the Wireless network should not be considered.


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