Networks in computing, like anywhere else, are the connections between units that allow them to transmit data between them. In telecommunications, these networks can be massively large. The physical connection between networked computing devices is established by using either cable media or wireless media. An example of a popular computer network is the internet.
Network devices that originate, route and terminate the data are called network nodes. Nodes can include host such as servers and personal computers as well as networking hardware. Two computers are said to be networked when a process in one device is able to exchange information with a process in another device.
Before computer networks, the communication between calculation machines and early computers was performed by human users by carrying instructions between them. Today, people do continue to transfer information to another person’s computer by hand by carrying removable storage media; although the transfer of information can take place through email and other networking application.
A network is characterized by its physical capacity or the purpose it was originally intended for. The network's functions and implementation will vary accordingly, in everything including user access rights and authorization. A personal area network is a computer network used for communication among computers and different information technological devices close to one person. Local networks widen the scope a little, connecting machines in a limited geographical area, such as a line of office buildings or a school. A home area network is a residential local area network which is used for communication between digital devices deployed in the home. A storage area network is a dedicated network that provides access to consolidated, block level data storage. Storage networks are least seen by the everyday person - they are a web of access points to amalgamated block level stores of data. And finally, there are global networks, like the internet, which many are familiar with today.
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