A computer network refers to two or more computing devices connected together in order to share data and resources.
Networks are grouped based on their size. There are three types of computer network.
A Local Area Network (LAN) covers a small geographical area located on a single site.
LANs are often found in homes, schools, and small businesses. They can be wired, wireless, or a mix of both.
A Wide Area Network (WAN) connects LANs in multiple geographical areas.
WANs are sometimes used by larger businesses with multiple offices. The biggest WAN in the world is the Internet, which is mostly made up of undersea fibre-optic cables. WANs are usually wired.
WANs are typically slower than LANs and can be more open to an external attack.
A Personal Area Network (PAN) is a very small network centred around a single user.
An example of a PAN is the Bluetooth connection between a mobile phone and some wireless headphones.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using computer networks?
Advantages:
• Sharing files and resources (including devices like printers) across the network is a lot easier
• It is therefore easier to work collaboratively
• The computers can be centrally managed, so software can be updated remotely on all computers at once
• Accounts can be stored centrally, so users can log in from any device on the network
Disadvantages:
• Networks are often very expensive to set up because a lot of hardware is required
• Networks can be targeted by hackers, and malware can spread easily between devices on the same network
• There is potential for a single point of failure, meaning the network could go down if something breaks