NETWORKING AND INTERNET

NETWORKING AND INTERNET

Networking is the practice of linking two or more computers together for the purpose of sharing data. Networks are built with a mix of computer hardware and software.

A computer network often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of computers and devices interconnected by communications among users and allows users to share resources and information among inter connected devices.

By themselves computers are powerful tools. When they are connected in network, they become even more powerful because the function and the tools that each computer provides can be shared with other computers. Network exists for one major reason: to share information and resources.

RESOURCES SHARED ON THE NETWORK

• ·         Files/document
• ·         Software
• ·         Printer
• ·         Scanner
• ·         Hard disk
• ·         Computers

TYPES OF NETWORKING

Local Area Network

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a relatively small network that is confined to a small geographic area, such as a single office or a building. Laptops, desktop, servers, printers, and other networked office building, school, or  home usually contains a single LAN, though sometimes one building will contain a few small LANs, (perhaps one per room), and occasionally a LAN will span a group of nearby buildings. A key characteristic is that all of the equipment that comprises a LAN is owned by a single entity. The computer systems are linked with cables. In LAN system computers on the same site could be linked.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is typically used to describe a network that spans a citywide area or a town. MANs are larger than traditional LANs and predominantly use high-speed media, such as fiber optic cable, for their backbones. MANs are common in organization that need to connect several smaller facilities or branches together for information sharing. This is often the case for hospitals that need to connect treatment facilities, outpatient facilities, doctor’s offices, labs, and research offices for access to centralized patient and  treatment information.

Wide Area Network

A wide Area Network or WAN is a type of networking where a number of resources are installed across a large geographical area such as multinational business. A WAN uses public networks, telephone lines, and leased line to tie together smaller networks such as LANs and MANs over a geographically dispersed area. Connecting devices different  geographic areas together for information sharing, WANs are an important piece of enterprise networks. This type of networks typically use low-speed links for data transfer. Through WAN offices in different countries can be interconnected. The best example of a WAN could be the internet that is a largest network in the world. In WAN computer system on different site can be linked.

Classes of Network

Computer network can be classified into;

• 1.      Intranet
• 2.      Extranet

Intranet

An intranet is a network open only for internal employees of a company.

The employees should use the network for inter-organization procedures – may be to communicate with a remote branch

Extranet

Extranet is another type of internetwork owned by a single enterprise. Instead of inside-usage, an mainly to the customers and suppliers of the venture. (E.g. ATM network)