A computer network connects electronic devices through wireless or wired connections, allowing sharing of resources. Networks can be as simple as two computers sharing files or as large as networks spanning schools and businesses with thousands of devices. Larger networks are made up of local area networks (LANs) within individual buildings connected by wide area networks (WANs) spanning multiple locations. Network software provides communication protocols to allow all devices to interconnect and share resources, while routers, switches, servers and other hardware direct traffic and sharing.

1. Computer Networking
By Jill Lunceford
EdTech 541

2. What is a Computer Network
 A computer network is a
complex system of
interconnecting electronic
devices that can be
shared by one or more
people and allows them to
utilize resources that are
connected through a
wireless or hardwired
connection. The larger
the network, the more
complex it becomes.

3. To infinity and beyond….
 Networks can be as simple as two
computers connected together to
share files between each other.
Most of us, if we have more than
one computer, a printer and a
connection to internet have a small
network inside our home.

4. To infinity and beyond….
 Businesses and schools can have networks within
networks that could have 1000’s of devices
interconnected across a city or even the country.
This helps their employees and workers be more
productive, work collaboratively and share resources
like printers, scanners, hard drives, files and internet
connections. Sharing of resources, especially
hardware, can save a school or business a lot of
money and eliminate having to purchase one of
every thing for everyone.

5. To infinity and beyond….
• The internet, is a sense, is the largest network. A
global network that we can all access. We can
send email, share videos, photos, music, shop,
browse a museum’s virtual collection, and do and
interact with people and things literally around the
world.

6. The Home Network
 First , we must have a computer. Once we have that we need to
have something to connect it to. In a home, we would first connect it
to the modem that carries the internet connection from our Internet
Service Provider (ISP). If we would like to connect more than one
device (computer , printer, etc.) we would need to also add a router.
This expands the capacity of the network. If the computer has
wireless capability, you may consider adding a wireless router. This
would allow the option of being just about anywhere in your home
and still access the internet and your other network resources.
Although not required, a printer is a nice addition to any home
network that can be connected to the router either wirelessly or by a
cable (“How Home Networking Works,” n.d.).
Cable Modem Wireless router Laptop

7. Larger Networks - LAN’s
LAN’s (Local Area Networks) are networks where all the resources are
located relatively close to each other. Usually within the same
building.
The main component of a LAN is a central server. The server houses
files and software that can be shared and manages other network
resources like printing and email.
 Devices on the LAN connect through a
switch that manages addressing of
packets of information sent out on the
network to make sure that it gets to the
right place. The switch also looks for
packets of information that are
addressed to the resources that
connect through it. Without the switch,
packets of information on the network
would never get to their destination
(“What is a LAN,” n.d.).

8. Larger Networks – WAN’s
 WAN’s (Wide Area Networks) are networks that are
spread out over a large area. This could be spread over
multiple buildings, across a city, or even spread out over
several states.
WAN’s are essentially two or more
LAN’s connected together. Routers
are used to manage and direct
communication between the
individual LAN’s, where switches
then make sure packets of
information are delivered to the
correct address or resource on the
LAN (“What is a WAN,” n.d.).

9. Network Software
 Like your individual computer, some sort of software is
needed to create a common language (so to speak)
for all devices on the network to be able to
communicate with each other. Without it, the network
would be like two people screaming at each other in
totally different languages.
• Neither understanding
the other, nothing getting
accomplished and it only
frustrates all those
around them, continuing
to complicate the
situation.

10. Network Software
• On a small simple network, your computer or laptop’s
operating system may be enough to run and manage
your network.
 For a larger more complex network
and a more robust network software
may need to be installed on the
servers that manage the
connections between all resources
and help manage user accounts
and rights to various aspects of the
network. It can also add a layer or
security to the network, filter
websites and add a firewall to
protect the network from external
threats.

11. References
 HowStuffWorks “How Home Networking Works.” (n.d.). Retrieved
February 8, 2012, from http://computer.howstuffworks.com/home-
network.htm
 What is a LAN? (n.d.). Retrieved February 8, 2012, from
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-lan.htm
 What is a WAN? (n.d.). Retrieved February 8, 2012, from
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-wan.htm

12. Picture Credits
 Slide 2 : http://visual.merriam-webster.com/communications/office-
automation/computer-network/wide-area-network.php#routers33358
 Slide 3 : http://www.techstore.ie/our-services/computer-networking
 Slide 5 : http://www.123rf.com/photo_3078786_global-computer-network.html
 Slide 6 :
 Cable modem : http://www.olx.com.sg/pictures/linksys-broadband-router-wrt54g-
usbnetwork-adapter-motorola-sbv5120-cable-modem-iid-79853928
 Wirelss : http://www.olx.com.sg/linksys-broadband-router-wrt54g-usbnetwork-
adapter-motorola-sbv5120-cable-modem-iid-79853928
 Laptop -: http://www.f-paper.com/?i935976-Photo:-Smart-Core-business-for-sale-
8000-the-ThinkPad-T420
 Slide 7 :
 LAN : http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/telecomm_handbook/chapter2_03.htm
 WAN : http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc751420.aspx
 Slide 8 : http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/couples-do-dont-speak-same-language/
 Slide 9 : http://www.brown.edu/cis/information_security/news/06-021.html