A network is a system of interconnected computers or devices that allows for the exchange of data between linked nodes. The key components of a computer network include nodes, network interface cards, communication media, protocols, routers and switches. There are several types of networks including local area networks (LANs) that connect devices within a short distance, metropolitan area networks (MANs) that span a larger physical area than a LAN, and wide area networks (WANs) that connect geographically dispersed LANs over longer distances. The largest WAN is the Internet.

1. What is a network? is TCP/IP or Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol.
A network can be defined as any system of lines
or channels interlacing or crossing. This term can Communication Media- A communication media
be used across multiple disciplines. Examples of a is a channel that enables a connection to a
network can be a network of veins, a network of network. Examples are a Fiber Optic connection, a
railroads, or a power transmission network. In wireless access point, a phone line, or network
this document we will be using the definition of a cable (often referred to as CAT5 or patch cable.)
network in terms of the computer industry.
Routers/Switches- A physical device that joins
What is a computer network? multiple wired or wireless networks together. A
router is used to connect an organization's Local
A computer network is a system of computers Area Network to the Internet or other external,
linked together by communication channels off-site network. A switch is used internally on a
allowing the exchange of data between the linked Local Area Network to connect nodes inside the
computers. The first computer network was network.
developed by ARPANET
What are some types of
under the Department of
Networks?
Defense in the 1960s. The
project included UCLA, Local Area Network (LAN)-
Stanford, UC Santa A local area network
Barbara, & the University connects nodes over a
of Utah. relatively short distance.
Examples of a LAN would
What makes up a computer
be a single office building,
network?
school, or home. A LAN
Node(s)- A Node is any can also span multiple
device with a network buildings in a campus but
interface card that connects to a network through within the same geographical location.
an established medium and protocol. Examples of
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)-A WAN is a
a node are computers, servers, printers, tablets,
network of nodes that span a physical area larger
and smart phones.
than a LAN but smaller than a WAN. An example
Network Interface Card (NIC)- A network of this would be a city owning a network that
interface card is a component on a node that employees could access across the entire region.
establishes a physical connection to the network.
Wide Area Network (WAN)- A WAN is a
This can include both wired and wireless adapters
geographically-dispersed collection of LANs. The
each with a unique identification number or MAC
main difference between a LAN and a WAN is that
(Media-Access Control ID).
a WAN is not owned by a single organization or
Protocol- A protocol is an industry standard entity.
communication language established to allow
Internet- The internet is the largest Wide Area
nodes on a network to talk with each other. The
Network in the world. This is why it is called the
most common protocol in the computer industry
World Wide Web and uses the term WWW.