Computer Networking

Computer Networking Basics
Executive summary articles by Kashif Raza

A network is a group of computers, printers and other devices that are connected together with cables. Information travels over the cables, allowing network users to exchange documents and data with each other, print to the same printers and generally share any hardware or software that is connected to the network. Each computer, printer or other peripheral device that is connected to the network is called a node. Networks can have tens, thousands or even millions of nodes.

Network Adapter
A network adapter is connected to the network cabling with a network interface card (also called a "NIC", "nick" or network adapter).

Hubs
If you're networking a small group of computers together, you may be able to get by with a hub, some 10BaseT cables and a handful or network adapters. Larger networks often use a thin coax "backbone" that connects a row of 10BaseT hubs together. Each hub, in turn, may connect a handful of computer together using 10BaseT cabling which allows you to build networks of tens, hundreds or thousands of nodes. Like network cards, hubs are available in both standard (10Mbps) and Fast Ethernet (100Mbps) versions.

LANs (Local Are Networks)
A network is any collection of independent computers that communicate with one another over a shared network medium. WANs (Wide Are Networks). Often a network is located in multiple physical places. Wide area networking combines multiple LANs that are geographically separate.

Ethernet
This standard defines rules for configuring an Ethernet network as well as specifying how elements in an Ethernet network interact with one another. By adhering to the IEEE standard, network equipment and network protocols can communicate efficiently.

Protocols
Network protocols are standards that allow computers to communicate. TCP/IP (for UNIX, Windows NT, Windows 95 and other platforms), IPX (for Novell NetWare), DECnet (for networking Digital Equipment Corp. computers), AppleTalk (for Macintosh computers) and NetBIOS/NetBeui (for LAN Manager and Windows NT networks) are the main types of network protocols in use today. Although each network protocol is different, they all share the same physical cabling. This common method of accessing the physical network allows multiple protocols to peacefully coexist over the network media and allows the builder of a network to use common hardware for a variety of protocols.

Computer Network Repair
Executive summary articles by Thomas Morva

Computer networking is very important when it comes to in house office jobs where the mutual connection of computers constitutes an important part of the whole work. Therefore, networking is an important element in today's corporate world.

There are many professional technicians who have the to securely install whatever type of network you require. All networking vendors use the highest quality hardware and software to help insure that your network is trouble free so that you don't have to worry about it. They also troubleshoot and maintain existing networks in homes and offices. Computer network vendors and repairers provide support for all network platforms.