Introduction to Computer Networking

A computer network is the connection of network cables or a wireless signal. Local area, metropolitan area and wide area are different kinds of networks. Computer networking is used worldwide and is the foundation for acquiring all kinds of information.

Routers are used to link two Internet networks such as wireless network and local wired network. A free router usually comes with a high speed Internet connection. A wireless card is used to connect to a network. Most wireless cards are built into the computer. A type of modem is needed to connect to the internet. The Internet service provider communicates with the modem.

Modern computer networks feature mechanisms that send packet from computer to computer. Packet switching allows data packets to be used in all data networks. These data packets are on the same link but the address information is different. Modem access to a data network using circuit switching which establishes a direct data link over the circuit. An advantage of circuit witching is the data isn’t lost because the bit rate of the outgoing circuit matches the bit rate of the incoming circuit.

It’s important to remember that the two kinds of computers are servers and clients. Clients are computers in a network that are only used for everyday work and don’t share resources. File sharing is a part of computer networking because computer networks share data. The types of sharing file methods depend on the type of operating method used. File and printer sharing need to be set up in window in order to share a file or printer with other networks.