A computer network It is a system made up of two or more interconnected computers, whose connection allows data to be shared and transported in real time through the equipment and programs enabled for it. These networks can be physically or wirelessly connected.
The main objective of the computer network is to instantly and efficiently disseminate information among various online users. Consequently, computer networks are designed with a communications protocol that requires a sending entity, a means through which a message is transmitted and a receiver of the information..
Connected users can share resources, access common storage folders, and jointly use peripheral devices interconnected to the network, such as printers or scanners. It is even possible to run programs on remotely connected devices, using remote connection tools.
These applications are very useful for different areas; An example of this is the current telecommuting stream. Another of the main advantages of computer networks is the safeguarding of all the information stored under their belt, which guarantees the support and integrity of the data contained therein..
In short, computer networks considerably facilitate work and personal tasks on a day-to-day basis..
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A computer network is made up of equipment and programming tools, which make possible the effective interconnection of the elements that are part of the system. Broadly speaking, the components of a computer network are the following:
It refers to all the elements that make up the physical assembly of the network. This includes all computers and peripheral devices connected to the network, as well as the other elements that make the connection between them possible. The computer network hardware is made up of the following components:
It refers to the entity that emits the primary signals of the network. The sender generates the signals or requests from a primary computer, which replicates the instructions to the receiver through the computer network.
Also known as a network card, this element encodes the signals in binary code and makes it transmittable for sending and receiving data packets through secondary cabling..
Likewise, the network cards have a media access control address, known as MAC for its acronym in English (Media Access Control).
This attributes a unique 48-bit identifier for each interconnected element in the network, which is understood as a physical address that directly sends the information to the correct workstation..
This card must be compatible with various configurations or network architectures that allow the expedited transmission of information.
Computer networks can be connected by two different mechanisms. These can be wired or wireless, depending on the technology used and the physical resources available for the connection..
In this type of network, data transmission is carried out through secondary cabling. The network cables connect the transmitter with the work equipment, according to the corresponding network scheme.
Wireless networks do not have any type of wiring, which means that the equipment does not have a physical connection between them.
In these cases, communication and data transmission is given through infrared, radio frequency waves, routers or network bridges..
The decoder is located inside the receiver. It translates the information that was encoded at the time by the network card and translates it into electrical signals that are interpretable by the target equipment..
This decoder is integrated into the motherboard of the receiving computer, and is capable of operating at different speeds.
It is the target team; that is, the element that finally receives the signal transmitted throughout the entire network.
In the computing field, the receiver is also known as a client or workstation. They can be personal computers or any shared peripheral resource, such as: printers, scanners or photocopiers.
It refers to the operating system, programs, drivers, instructions and computer settings that make the operation of the computer network feasible.
The hardware it is nothing without a tool that facilitates the interconnection of all the associated elements, and the configuration of the equipment is only feasible through the use of the software.
The software of the computer network is made up of the elements detailed below:
It is an application that runs the corresponding operating system and that, consequently, is able to receive the concerns of the workstations and provide a related response.
It is the base system that allows the joint operation of all the elementary processes and programs installed in the network equipment.
In addition to the above, the operating system allows users effective access and interaction of all the computers that make up the network.
The operating system forms a friendly interface at the macro level; that is, it allows the gear of all the programs installed on each computer.
In this way, neither program interferes in the operation of the other and each tool allows maximizing the use of the interconnected resources in the network..
This section covers all the programs and tools that allow the user to use the equipment directly. For example: office tools, databases, games, etc..
The network protocol establishes the rules that frame the exchange and processing of data through the computer network. That is, it establishes the guidelines for the operation of the network..
This element includes key information for the physical connection of the equipment, as well as the actions to be taken in the event of, for example, the intrusion of an unidentified user, or data corruption.
Computer networks are classified differently based on their use, ownership, or service coverage. In each case, the different associated typifications are shown..
They are networks that have a large number of interconnected workstations. For example, this is the case of networks installed in commercial offices, which allow hundreds of users to access common storage folders simultaneously..
This type of network is for exclusive use only for two or three users online. The restriction may be due to the protection of confidential information or a limited network speed.
They are networks installed by large corporations, medium-sized companies, small businesses and even individuals, in which access is only possible from the terminals of identified users..
For example, a guest user would not have access to the information stored within the personal computer he is using, nor to joint network functions..
Unlike private networks, this type of network allows access to anyone who requires the use of equipment interconnected to the computer network, without restrictions of any kind..
The sender and receivers of the computer network are physically connected to each other. This implies a limitation regarding the distances that separate the emitting equipment from the respective receivers..
This is possible by laying copper cabling and interconnecting equipment through the connection ports arranged for it..
The emitter and the workstations are not physically connected. That is, the data transmission is carried out without any type of wiring.
In this case, instead of cables and connection ports there are wireless access points, known as WAP for its acronym in English (Wireless Access Point).
WAPs allow you to connect equipment using electromagnetic waves transmitted through the air, whose reception is possible thanks to wireless network cards.
It may be the case that a computer network presents a hybrid of the two previous mechanisms. That is, that said network has physical and wireless connections simultaneously.
They are the networks with the smallest reach and are basically used to interconnect electronic devices for personal use, such as personal computers, laptops, tablets, cell phones, printers, etc..
The above is done in order to maximize the use of all interconnected resources, and exchange data between them quickly and safely..
Data transmission is via copper cables, ports firewire or USB. It is also common to make wireless connections using infrared, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi networks..
Its distance coverage is limited to just 10 meters. In addition, it operates at a speed between 10 bytes per second (bps) and 100 megabytes per second (Mbps).
They are networks with a limited scope depending on the proximity of the equipment. They can have ranges of up to 20 kilometers, depending on the sophistication and complexity of the network.
They are generally used for domestic or corporate purposes. LAN networks are used in buildings or entire complexes to interconnect all the workstations present there.
This is possible thanks to the connection points (nodes) strategically distributed throughout the entire infrastructure..
Data transmission is carried out electronically, using fiber optics or copper cables. LAN networks typically operate at speeds between 100 and 1000 megabytes per second (Mbps).
MAN networks are made up of a set of LAN networks, which allows them to have a considerably larger area extension.
They are designed for industrial complexes, very large educational institutions, towns, or even cities. For example, local governments use them to offer free Wi-Fi signal in large public spaces.
It can cover a distance between 10 and 50 kilometers, and operates at a speed between 10 Mbps and 10 Gbps (gigabytes). In the latter case, this is the case if the data transmission is carried out with fiber optics..
The wireless version of metropolitan area networks (WMAN): Wireless Metropolitan Area Network) can reach up to 48 kilometers radius of action.
WAN networks contain to their credit an extensive aggregate of LAN and MAN networks connected to each other. This makes it possible to cover even larger areas, which can cover entire countries and regions..
The nodes of a WAN network can be separated from each other by distances ranging from 100 to 1000 kilometers.
In this case, the data transmission is carried out via satellite or via radio signals. Their operating speed ranges from 1 megabyte to 1 gigabyte, and they are extremely robust networks.
GAN networks allow communication between workstations located anywhere in the world. An example of this is the global positioning system, popularly known by its acronym in English: GPS..
This type of network includes the connection of multiple WAN networks through a fiberglass structure that, in turn, is grouped by international submarine cables or by satellite transmission..
Therefore, the geographic coverage of the GAN networks has no restrictions. Operates at a transmission speed between 1.5 Mbps and 100 Gbps.
The workstations are connected to the issuing entity as if it were an asterisk; that is, the central server is in the center and the rest of the team is located around it.
All the clients of the system are connected to each other, one next to the other, forming a circle.
All devices are arranged with point-to-point connections with the rest of the network receivers; that is, they can communicate in series or in parallel with the rest of the interconnected elements.
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