Computer networks connect computers and other devices together to share resources, information and services. They can be wireless or wired and configured in different network topologies. Networks are crucial for business today and enable us to communicate, collaborate and work more efficiently. They also help with data security and access.
Computer networking is an extensive field that covers the creation and maintenance of communication networks. It is a combination of computer science and electrical engineering.
The most famous computer network is the Internet which allows billions of users to connect and access the same resources at the same time. The network utilizes a packet-switching model to direct data traffic through a near infinite number of pathways and connections. Each packet is comprised of control information and data from the user. The control information includes the destination and source network addresses, error detection codes and sequencing information. The data part of a packet is the payload.
In the typical business network there is a central server which stores data and manages access to crucial resources such as photocopiers, printers and files. The server is secured by firewalls and a multifactor authentication to ensure that only authorized users have access to access the network. Centralizing all data on servers also helps administrators to manage regular backups of data and to enforce strict security measures for the network. It also lets employees access corporate services and apps, regardless of where they are — such as video-calling software as well as document-sharing.