Computer networks allow the sharing and central management of information, resources and applications across a variety of devices in a scalable, secure fashion. They are an integral component of modern-day life and offer benefits like improved communication and collaboration, lower costs, enhanced security, and greater accessibility to information and resources.
Networks are constructed from two primary elements, nodes and links. Nodes are devices that are networked, such as printers, computers, and file servers. They are able to communicate by using a standard set of rules known as the communication protocol. Links connect these devices with each other through wireless, optical or wired connections. A laptop that connects to a network in the local area using Wi-Fi is a node and is a link. Network switches and routers act as traffic police, directing data packets to their intended destination in the most efficient manner.
A wide area network (WAN) is a larger-scale network which uses bridges and gateways in order to connect several LANs. A WAN unlike a local network (LAN), is connected to global communication networks as well as the Internet. Students in Florida, for example can use teleconferencing on their computers with colleagues in Tokyo because of the WAN.
Computer networks help to streamline processes and foster a more collaborative and engaging workplace. For instance employees can save their files to a server that is www.boardroomco.net regularly backed-up on a regular basis, rather than sending documents back and forth, which can result in the loss of files. They also have access to the standard versions of customer or employee manuals on the network, which will ensure accuracy and consistency.
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