The broad categories of computer networks

For some people, the computer itself could be a scary subject, considering how complicated the machine is. Talking about computer networks could cause a heart attack in these people. However, it is not as scary as it may sound.

Computer networks can be understood by separating the two words of the term. A “computer”, as we know it, is a complex machine that helps us process information. “Networking” refers to linking or connecting. Therefore, computer networking would simply mean connecting two or more computers. When we say the word “connected” in this reference, we mean that one computer can be accessed through the other.

Generally speaking, there are two ways to connect two or more computers. The first is called a wired network and the other is called a wireless network. Both are important topics to study and understand. However, in simple language, it could be said that when two or more computers are connected via cables it is called a wired network. And when they are connected without cables through a wireless router, it is known as a wireless network. As wired networks are limited to the area where the wired network is installed, similarly, wireless has range limitations. The number of machines that are on a network would guarantee the speed of the network. More machines on a network would mean a slow network.

The various computer network systems could be: Personal area network; Local area network; Campus area network; Metropolitan area network; Wide area network; Global network and most importantly Internet, intranet or extranet. The names are given to the network depending on the arena they have. As, for example, the campus area would mean that the machines that are located in a certain physically limited campus are connected through the computer network. This could be a wired or wireless network.

The Internet could be understood as a global network system.