For some people, the computer itself might be a scary subject, considering how complicated the machine is. Talking about computer networks could give these people a heart attack. However, it is not as scary as it may seem.
Computer networks can be understood by separating the two words of the term. A “computer” as we know it is a complex machine that helps us process information. “Networking” refers to linking or connecting. Therefore, computer networking would simply mean connecting two or more computers. When we say the word “connected” in this reference, we mean that one computer can be accessed through the other.
Generally speaking, there are two ways to connect two or more computers. The first is called a wired network and the other is called a wireless network. Both are great topics to study and understand. However, in plain language, it could be said that when two or more computers are connected through cables, it is called a wired network. And when they are connected wirelessly through a wireless router, it is known as a wireless network. As wired networks are limited to the area in which the wired network is installed, similarly wireless networks have range limitations. The number of machines that are in a network would guarantee the speed of the network. More machines on a network would mean a slow network.
The various computer network systems could be – Personal Area Network; Local area network; Campus Area Network; Metropolitan Area Network; Wide Area Network; Global Network and most importantly internet, intranet or extranet. The names are given to the network depending on the sand they have. Like, for example, campus area would mean that the machines that are in a physically limited campus are connected through the computer network. This could be a wired or wireless network.
Internet could be understood as a global network system.