Networks connect groups of people and devices through shared resources and communication channels. They allow interconnected computers, printers, phones and other devices to exchange data by speaking the same networking protocols. Networks are used both at home and by businesses, with local area networks (LANs) connecting devices within an organization and wide area networks (WANs) extending connectivity between multiple LANs over longer distances.

1. Networks
By Megan Gibbs
September 12, 2021

2. What is a network?
• Interconnected group/ system of people/ things
• Computers sharing resources
• Devices connected to allow data sharing

3. Why do we use networks?
• To help share resources
• To make communication easy

4. Networking Basics - SOHO
switch
router
Servers
Workstations
Printers
Mobile Phones
LAN Local Area Network

5. Networking Basics - Enterprise
switch
router
Server
s
LAN Local Area Network

6. WAN
Wide Area
Network

7. To summarize…
• Networks connect devices
• Devices are used to share information
• They must speak the same language
• Computer language is called protocol
(protocol gives instructions of how to handle the information)