Computer Networks and Scale
A computer network consists of two or more nodes (devices such as computers, phones, or servers) connected by links (cables or wireless signals) so they can exchange data. Networks provide the underlying infrastructure for modern technologies like web browsing, email, video calls, and cloud services.
Networks are commonly categorized by geographic scope:
- Local Area Network (LAN): Connects devices within a single location, such as a home or office.
- Wide Area Network (WAN): Connects networks spread across large geographic distances. The Internet is the largest WAN in existence.
The Internet is not a single centralized entity, but rather a "network of networks" consisting of millions of independent networks that communicate using shared protocols—standardized rules for formatting and exchanging data.
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Prep Sessions
From Packets to Protocols: How Modern Networks Transmit Data @ University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ch.1 Network Architecture and Layering - From Packets to Protocols: How Modern Networks Transmit Data @ University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Network Fundamentals and Architecture - From Packets to Protocols: How Modern Networks Transmit Data @ University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Learn After
Which type of network connects devices contained within a single location, such as a home or office?
The Internet is a single, centralized entity operated by one organization.
What term refers to the standardized rules used by independent networks to format and exchange data?
Describe the core components that make up a computer network and explain how a Local Area Network (LAN) differs from a Wide Area Network (WAN).