Introduction to Networking

What is a Network?

A network is a group of computers or computer like devices connected together to share the resources like file, printer, services etc. A typical network contains users working at workstations   (also known as client), running client operating   systems like Windows XP and store their files on a central server. The server computer has more resources like memory, disk space and more processing power compared with client computers. The server machine   also run   an  Operating System, which has more processing capabilityies compared with the client machine. The server may be installed with special software, which is helps it to function as a server. The special software allows file and print services, serve web pages, transfer emails etc.

LAN, MAN and WAN

Local Area Network (LAN) is a network, which is limited to a single building, college campus etc. A Wide Area Network (WAN) spans over multiple geographic locations, which is composed of multiple LANs. A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) refers to a network, which is located in a city or metropolitan area. If an organization has multiple offices in a city, the term that refers the network is called MAN.

Internet, Intranet, Extranet

• Internet. The Internet is a worldwide, publicly accessible network of interconnected computer networks that transmit data using the standard Internet Protocol (IP). The terms World Wide Web (WWW) and Internet are not the same. The Internet is a collection of interconnected computer networks, linked by copper wires, fiber-optic cables, wireless connections, etc.

• Intranet. An intranet is a private network that is contained within an enterprise. It may consist of many interlinked local area networks and also use leased lines in the wide area network. The main purpose of an intranet is to share company information and computing resources among employees.

• Extranet. An extranet can be viewed as part of a company's intranet that is extended to users outside the company like suppliers, vendors, partners, customers, or other businesses.