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Network
Updated: 06/02/2020 by Computer Hope
A network is a collection of computers, servers, mainframes, network devices, peripherals, or other devices connected to one another to allow the sharing of data. An example of a network is the Internet, which connects millions of people all over the world. To the right is an example image of a home network with multiple computers and other network devices all connected.
Examples of network devices.
Network topologies and types of networks.
What was the first computer network?
What is the difference between public and private networks?
Related pages.
Examples of network devices
Desktop computers, laptops, mainframes, and servers.
Consoles and thin clients.
Firewalls
Bridges
Repeaters
Network Interface cards
Switches, hubs, modems, and routers.
Smartphones and tablets.
Webcams
Network topologies and types of networks
The term network topology describes the relationship of connected devices in terms of a geometric graph. Devices are represented as vertices, and their connections are represented as edges on the graph. It describes how many connections each device has, in what order, and it what sort of hierarchy.
Typical network configurations include the bus topology, mesh topology, ring topology, star topology, tree topology and hybrid topology.
Most home networks are configured in a tree topology that connects to the Internet. Corporate networks often use tree topologies, but they also often incorporate star topologies, and an Intranet.
What is the difference between public and private networks?
Often offered by nearby businesses and other publicly accessible areas, public networks are a convenient way to connect to the Internet.
Some public Wi-Fi networks require a password before a connection is made. If the network displays a lock icon in your list of available Wi-Fi networks, it requires a password.
Some networks do not require a pass