When there is one computer, it is called a local machine. And if there are a lot of them? Then use the term "computer network". What is it and how is it arranged? What features are inherent in the system? How can computer networks be classified? All this will be considered in the framework of the article.
Computer network: what is it and how does it work?
This is the name of the communication system of computers or other units of computing equipment (which can be servers, routers and other equipment of this kind). To transmit data, various
physical phenomena are used, such as electrical and light signals or electromagnetic radiation. It
is necessary to talk about
computer networks depending on the principle by which they are allocated. Therefore, further it will be possible to familiarize yourself with what is the basis of such networks.
Territorial division
It matters the number of connected units of equipment, construction features, scale and many other parameters, as well as, in fact, the operation of the computer network itself. So, let's begin:
- BAN is a wearable computer network. It is engaged in providing Internet access for devices that are connected or installed in the main machine.
- PAN - a personal network. It is engaged in the provision of Internet access, as well as the organization of interaction between different devices belonging to the same owner.
- LAN - local area network. It is a closed infrastructure with access to a service provider. A similar type can be equally assigned to a small office network, and to an association operating in a large plant occupying several hectares. In such cases, the local network is called when it does not exceed a diameter of 10 kilometers. Due to the fact that it is closed, only a limited circle of users who, as a rule, have a professional interest, can access it and it is associated with their activities.
- CAN is a campus network. This is the name of the union of several local, located in the nearest buildings from one arbitrary point.
- MAN is a city network. Used to connect institutions within the same city (or several, if there was an agreement on this). They link many local associations.
- WAN is a global network. Covers significant geographic regions. May include separate local, telecommunication networks and devices. This view is open and aims to provide service to any user who asks for it. Sometimes you can still hear such a name as the world wide computer network. True, this is used in the meaning of combining all that is. In such cases, some territorial restriction is not implied.
- Corporate network. An exclusively literary term that is used to refer to associations whose parts were created using different programmatic, technical and informational principles.
As you can see, a fairly wide range of functions can cover a computer network. What is the meaning of the concept in general? We have already begun to consider: the possibility of exchanging data, the operation of automatic systems and many other useful options were realized thanks to its use.
Data Rate Division
Classification is also based on how fast data packets are transmitted. In general, there are numerous types, ranging from the slowest to the most advanced. But they all come together in three categories:
- Low speed connections. This includes data transmission paths that operate with parameters less than 10 Mbps.
- Medium speed. This includes data transmission paths that operate with parameters in the range of 10-100 Mbit / s.
- High speed. These include all data transmission paths that can work with parameters above 100 Mbit / s.
Functional division
This classification is used according to the types of tasks:
- Data storage network.
- Server company.
- Process control network.
- House associations.
Media division
Everything is clear here:
- Wired Tools. This includes a telephone wire, twisted pair, fiber optic and coaxial cable.
- Wireless facilities. All using radio waves of a certain frequency range.
Conclusion
That's all the general theoretical information, which makes it clear what a computer network is. What is - briefly explained. Various classifications were also considered as part of the article. But this is only general descriptive information, and if you want to know more, you will need to acquire special literature (or go to university for the relevant specialty). It should be remembered that access to other objects is always through intermediaries. So, data goes further from the phone, it is processed by the computer network Citylink, Beeline and other providers that provide access to the Internet.