Summary

A network is simply two or more computers linked together. It allows users to share not only data files and software applications but also hardware like printers and other hardware.

Networks can be classified according to different criteria:

• Geographical area – PANs, LANs and WANs.
• Architecture – a client-server network, a peer-to-peer network
• Topology – bus (line), star, ring, mesh, tree
• Network protocol

Networks can be linked either with cables and wires or radio waves.

Wired networks are linked by Ethernet cables, phone lines or high-speed optic cables.

Wireless networks use electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves, to transmit data.