If you want to enter the IT field with a role that is secure and offers a decent salary, becoming a computer network technician might be the ideal choice for you. However, if you are completely new to the technical world, you might be wondering what computer networking is.
In brief, it refers to the network of interconnected computing devices (computers, servers, printers, and other hardware) that can exchange data and share resources.
How Does Computer Networking Work?
To understand how computer networking works, you also need to know about nodes, links, and protocols. Think of them like the fundamental building blocks of computer networking.
Node: It is any active electronic device that can send, receive, or forward information over a communication channel. Think of computers, printers, or routers.
Link: A link is the transmission medium that connects two nodes, like a cable or WiFi.
Protocol: A protocol is a set of established rules that dictates exactly how two or more devices should exchange data.
How Data Moves Across the Network
So, ultimately, to exchange data across networks, nodes follow a set of protocols to send and receive data across the links. To make it easier, let’s take an example of an email.
Once you hit “send” on an email, it is then broken into small units called packlets and shared via links (wirelessly) to the receiver (node).
NOTE: Each packet contains not only a small piece of the email data but also the destination address and information needed to reassemble the data correctly at the other end.
Types of Computer Networks
Much like how computer devices come in different sizes and specifications, networks can vary greatly in size and scope. Here are four major types of networks:
LAN (Local Area Network): You must’ve heard this word before, as this is the most common and smallest type. A LAN connects devices within a limited geographical area, like a single home, office building, or a school campus. Think of the network you use to print documents at the office or share files between computers in your house.
WAN (Wide Area Network): As the name suggests, a WAN is wider than a LAN in terms of coverage area. It often connects multiple LANs together. Companies also use WANs to connect their different branch offices across cities, states, or even continents.
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): This type is larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN, typically covering an area the size of a city.
PAN (Personal Area Network): The smallest type, used for a single individual to connect devices like a smartphone, laptop, and Bluetooth headset.
While it may seem like a lot of abbreviations initially, you’ll be able to learn about them in detail if you enroll in an online computer networking program or one of the fast-track computer networking programs.
Why Computer Networking is Essential
Now that you know the basics of how networking works and its types, it is also important to understand its importance.
In our modern world, networks are crucial; without them, we wouldn’t be able to connect to the internet, and our computing devices (smartphones as well) would simply become pre-internet era devices. Here are the benefits of networking that impact our daily lives:
Resource Sharing: It allows multiple users and devices to share expensive resources like high-speed printers, servers, and internet connections, saving money and increasing efficiency.
Communication: Networks facilitate instant and global communication through email, video conferencing, instant messaging, and social media.
Centralized Data Management: Large businesses can store and back up data in centralized servers, making it easier to manage, secure, and access from anywhere.
Flexibility and Mobility: Wireless networking (Wi-Fi) allows users to connect to the network without being physically tethered by a cable, enabling mobility within an area.