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Just Networking

The document discusses computer networking, which involves transporting and exchanging data between nodes over a shared medium. It describes how networking enables devices to connect locally or globally and share resources. The document also covers wired and wireless networking, components of networking like switches and routers, and standard protocols used.

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48 views

Just Networking

The document discusses computer networking, which involves transporting and exchanging data between nodes over a shared medium. It describes how networking enables devices to connect locally or globally and share resources. The document also covers wired and wireless networking, components of networking like switches and routers, and standard protocols used.

Uploaded by

blessaman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Networking (computer)

Networking, also known as computer networking, is the practice of transporting and exchanging data
between nodes over a shared medium in an information system. Networking comprises not only the
design, construction and use of a network, but also the management, maintenance and operation of the
network infrastructure, software and policies.

Computer networking enables devices and endpoints to be connected to each other on a local area
network (LAN) or to a larger network, such as the internet or a private wide area network (WAN). This is
an essential function for service providers, businesses and consumers worldwide to share resources, use
or offer services, and communicate. Networking facilitates everything from telephone calls to text
messaging to streaming video to the internet of things (IoT).

The level of skill required to operate a network directly correlates to the complexity of a given network.
For example, a large enterprise may have thousands of nodes and rigorous security requirements, such
as end-to-end encryption, requiring specialized network administrators to oversee the network.

At the other end of the spectrum, a layperson may set up and perform basic troubleshooting for a home
Wi-Fi network with a short instruction manual. Both examples constitute computer networking.
Types of networking

There are two primary types of computer networking: wired networking and wireless networking.

Wired networking requires the use of a physical medium for transport between nodes. Copper-based
Ethernet cabling, popular due to its low cost and durability, is commonly used for digital
communications in businesses and homes. Alternatively, optical fiber is used to transport data over
greater distances and at faster speeds, but it has several tradeoffs, including higher costs and more
fragile components.

Wireless networking uses radio waves to transport data over the air, enabling devices to be connected
to a network without any cabling. Wireless LANs are the most well-known and widely deployed form of
wireless networking. Alternatives include microwave, satellite, cellular and Bluetooth, among others.

As a general rule, wired networking offers greater speed, reliability and security compared to wireless
networks; wireless networking tends to provide more flexibility, mobility and scalability.

It should be noted that these types of networking concern the physical layer of the network. Networking
can also be classified according to how it’s built and designed, encompassing approaches that include
software-defined networking (SDN) or overlay networks. Networking can also be categorized by
environment and scale, such as LAN, campus, WAN, data center networks or storage area networks.
Components of networking

Computer networking requires the use of physical network infrastructure – including switches, routers
and wireless access points – and the underlying firmware that operates such equipment. Other
components include the software necessary to monitor, manage and secure the network.

Additionally, networks rely on the use of standard protocols to uniformly perform discrete functions or
communicate different types of data, regardless of the underlying hardware.

For example, voice over IP (VoIP) can transport IP telephony traffic to any endpoint that supports the
protocol. HTTP provides a common way for browsers to display webpages. The internet protocol suite,
also known as TCP/IP, is a family of protocols responsible for transporting data and services over an IP-
based network.

This was last updated in June 2018

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