Computer networks allow sharing and central management of information, resources and applications across multiple devices in a scalable, secure fashion. They are an essential part of modern life and offer benefits such as improved collaboration and communication, less costs, increased security, and greater accessibility to data and resources.
Networks are constructed from two primary elements, nodes and links. Nodes are networked devices like printers, computers, and file servers. They can communicate using a standard set rules known as the communication protocol. Links connect these nodes using optical or wired connections. A laptop that is connected to a local network by using Wi-Fi can be described as a node and is a link. Network switches and routers function as traffic cops, directing data packets to their destination efficiently.
A wide area network (WAN) is a larger-scale network that uses bridges and gateways to connect several LANs. Like a LAN however the WAN is connected to the Internet and other global networks of communication. Students in Florida, for example can join teleconferences on their workstations with classmates in Tokyo thanks to a connected WAN.
Computer networks streamline work processes and foster collaboration and engagement in the workplace. Employees can save their documents to a server which is regularly backed-up, instead of sending documents back-and-forth which could lead to lost documents. They can also access the most current versions of employee or customer manuals on the network. This ensures accuracy and consistency.