Computer networks enable the sharing and central management of resources, information and applications across a variety of devices in a scalable, secure manner. They are an integral component of modern life and offer advantages such as better collaboration and communication, reduced costs, improved security, and greater accessibility to information and resources.
Links and nodes are the two primary elements of a network. Nodes are devices connected to networks such as computers, printers and file servers. They can communicate using a standard set of rules known as communication protocol. Links connect these network nodes through optical or wired connections. A laptop that connects to a local network using Wi-Fi can be described as a node and links. Network switches and routers function as traffic cops, directing data packets to their intended destination in the most efficient manner.
A wide area network (WAN) is a larger-scale network which uses bridges and gateways to connect multiple LANs. A WAN is different from a local area network (LAN), is connected to global communication networks and the Internet. Students in Florida, for example, can teleconference on their workstations to peers in Tokyo because of a connected WAN.
Computer networks can help streamline work processes and foster a more collaborative and engaging workplace. Employees can save their documents to a server which is regularly backed-up, instead of sending documents back-and-forth which could result in losing documents. They can also access standard versions of employee and customer manuals through the network. This ensures consistency and accuracy.