What are computer networks?

Do you like the computer world? Today we will tell you very briefly what computer networks are and what they work for.

What are computer networks?

Currently talking about mobile devices, computers, the internet and all kinds of technology is very common. Every day you use a large number of available terms to talk about technology, but one of the most important of all is computer networks. Do you know what they are? What are computer networks?

When we talk about computer networks, we refer to what allows our PC, laptop or mobile devices to remain interconnected. In other words, it is a set of computers that are connected to each other using various means such as cables, wireless links, fiber optics and more. The connection of all this equipment finally forms the networks that will serve to exchange data.

If you want to take a very simple example of this concept, you just have to look at the internet, which is today the largest computer network of all, allowing us to be connected and exchange data at all times.

What are they for?

A computer network has several purposes, the main one of which is to allow computers and devices to connect and exchange information, and even share data. Some of the functions of computer networks that you have to know are:

Carry out an exchange of information

It is the main function of these networks. A computer can exchange data with another quickly and safely, in this way these files can be viewed and edited by other users like you.
Software Sharing

Another of the functions of these networks is to allow the installation of a program within a single computer, which can be used by the rest of the computers on the network without them having to install it.

Hardware Sharing

One of the best functions, since if you have a printer or an ADSL Router, you can share it with the rest of the computers on your network.

Different types of networks

But considering the broad concept, it is possible to classify them according to their size and other characteristics. Some of the best known types of computer networks are: the PAN or Personal Area Network for devices used by a single person, LAN or Local Area Network for a house, a room or a local, WLAN or Wireless Local Area Network equal to the above but without the use of cables or CAN, MAN, WAN, VLAN and more.

LAN (Local Area Network): Networks of local area

It is a system of communication between computers that allows sharing information, with the characteristic that the distance between computers must be small. These networks are used for the interconnection of personal computers and work stations. They are characterized by: size, restricted technology, transmission (usually broadcast), high speed and topology.

They are networks with speeds between 10 and 100 Mbps, it has low latency and low error rate. When using a medium shared, an arbitration mechanism is necessary to resolve conflicts.

Within this type of network we can name 192.168.l.254, a private network who uses tools
internet guy, but available only within the organization.

Ex: IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet), IEEE 802.4 (Token Bus), IEEE 802.5 (Token Ring)

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): Networks of Metropolitan Area

It is a larger version of the local network. Can be public or private. A MAN can bear so much voice as data. A MAN has one or two wires and no elements. packet exchangers or switches, which simplifies quite the design.

The main reason to distinguish it from other types of networks, is that for the MAN’s a standard has been adopted called DQDB (Distributed Queue Dual Bus) or IEEE 802.6. uses
means of diffusion as well as Local Area Network.