COMPUTER NETWORK: COMPONENTS AND TYPES - TECHNOLOGY - 2024

A computer network is a system made up of two or more interconnected computers, whose connection allows data to be shared and transported in real time through the equipment and programs enabled for it. These networks can be connected physically or wirelessly.

The main objective of the computer network is the instant and efficient dissemination of information among various online users. Consequently, computer networks are designed with a communications protocol that requires a sending entity, a medium through which a message is transmitted and a receiver of the information.

Connected users can share resources, access common storage folders, and jointly use networked peripheral devices such as printers or scanners. It is even possible to run programs on remotely connected devices, using remote connection tools.

These applications are very useful for different areas; An example of this is the current telecommuting stream. Another of the main advantages of computer networks is the safeguarding of all the information stored under their belt, which guarantees the support and integrity of the data contained therein.

In short, computer networks considerably facilitate work and personal tasks on a daily basis.

Components of a computer network

A computer network is made up of equipment and programming tools, which make possible the effective interconnection of the elements that are part of the system. Broadly speaking, the components of a computer network are the following:

Hardware

It refers to all the elements that make up the physical assembly of the network. This includes all computers and peripheral devices connected to the network, as well as the other elements that make the connection between them possible. The computer network hardware is made up of the following components:

Transmitter

It refers to the entity that emits the primary signals of the network. The sender generates the signals or requests from a primary computer, which replicates the instructions to the receiver through the computer network.

Network card

Also known as a network card, this element encodes the signals in binary code and makes it transmittable for sending and receiving data packets through secondary wiring.

Likewise, the network cards have a media access control address, known as MAC for its acronym in English (Media Access Control).

This assigns a unique 48-bit identifier for each interconnected element in the network, which is understood as a physical address that directly sends the information to the correct workstation.

Said card must be compatible with various configurations or network architectures that allow the expedited transmission of information.

Connection

Computer networks can be connected by two different mechanisms. These can be wired or wireless, depending on the technology used and the physical resources available for the connection.

Wired networks

In this type of network, data transmission is carried out through secondary cabling. The network cables connect the transmitter with the work equipment, according to the corresponding network scheme.

Wireless networks

Wireless networks do not have any type of cabling, which means that the computers lack a physical connection between them.

In these cases, communication and data transmission comes through infrared, radio frequency waves, routers or network bridges.

Network adapter

The decoder is located inside the receiver. It translates the information that was encoded at the time by the network card and translates it into electrical signals that are interpretable by the target equipment.

This decoder is integrated into the motherboard of the receiving computer, and is capable of operating at different speeds.

Receiver

It is the destination team; that is, the element that finally receives the signal transmitted throughout the entire network.

In the computer field, the receiver is also known as a client or workstation. They can be personal computers or any shared peripheral resources, such as printers, scanners or photocopiers.

software

It refers to the operating system, programs, drivers, instructions and computer settings that make the operation of the computer network feasible.

Hardware is nothing without a tool that facilitates the interconnection of all associated elements, and the configuration of the equipment is only feasible through the use of software.

The computer network software is made up of the elements detailed below:

Server

It is an application that runs the corresponding operating system and that, consequently, is able to receive inquiries from workstations and provide a related response.

Operating system

It is the base system that allows the joint operation of all the elementary processes and programs installed in the network equipment.

In addition to the above, the operating system allows users effective access and interaction with all the computers that make up the network.

The operating system forms a friendly interface at the macro level; that is to say, it allows the gear of all the programs installed in each computer.

In this way, neither program interferes in the operation of the other and each tool allows to maximize the use of the interconnected resources in the network.

Applications

This section covers all the programs and tools that allow the user to use the equipment directly. For example: office tools, databases, games, etc.

Network protocol

The network protocol establishes the rules that frame the exchange and processing of data through the computer network. That is, it establishes the operating guidelines for the network.

This element includes key information for the physical connection of the equipment, as well as the actions to be taken in the event of, for example, the intrusion of an unidentified user, or data corruption.

Types of computer network

Computer networks are classified differently based on their use, ownership or service coverage. In each case, the different associated typifications are shown.

According to its use

Shared networks

They are networks that have a large number of interconnected workstations. For example, this is the case of networks installed in business offices, which allow hundreds of users to access common storage folders simultaneously.

Exclusive networks

This type of network is for exclusive use only for two or three users online. The restriction may be due to the protection of confidential information or a limited network speed.

According to your property

Private networks

They are networks installed by large corporations, medium-sized companies, small businesses and even individuals, in which access is only possible from the identified user terminals.

For example, a guest user would not have access to the information stored within the personal computer he is using, nor to the joint network functions.

Public networks

Unlike private networks, this type of network allows access to anyone who requires the use of equipment interconnected to the computer network, without restrictions of any kind.

According to access

Wired

The sender and the receivers of the computer network are physically connected to each other. This implies a limitation regarding the distances that separate the emitting equipment from the respective receivers.

This is possible by laying copper cabling and interconnecting equipment through the connection ports provided for this.

Wireless

The emitter and the workstations are not physically connected. That is, data transmission is carried out without any type of wiring.

In this case, instead of cables and connection ports there are wireless access points, known as WAP for its acronym in English (Wireless Access Point).

WAPs allow you to connect computers using electromagnetic waves transmitted through the air, whose reception is possible thanks to wireless network cards.

Combined networks

The case may arise that a computer network presents a hybrid of the two previous mechanisms. That is, that said network has physical and wireless connections simultaneously.

According to your geographic location and service coverage

Personal Area Networks (PAN)

They are the networks with the smallest reach and are basically used to interconnect electronic devices for personal use, such as personal computers, laptops, tablets, cell phones, printers, etc.

This is done in order to maximize the use of all interconnected resources, and exchange data between them quickly and safely.

Data transmission is done via copper cables, firewire or USB ports. It is also common to make wireless connections using infrared, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi networks.

Its distance coverage is limited to just 10 meters. In addition, it operates at a speed between 10 bytes per second (bps) and 100 megabytes per second (Mbps).

Local networks (LAN)

They are networks with a limited scope depending on the proximity of the equipment. They can have ranges of up to 20 kilometers, depending on the sophistication and complexity of the network.

They are generally used for domestic or corporate purposes. LAN networks are used in buildings or entire complexes to interconnect all the workstations present there.

This is possible thanks to the connection points (nodes) strategically distributed throughout the entire infrastructure.

Data transmission is carried out electronically, using fiber optics or copper cables. LAN networks typically operate at speeds between 100 and 1000 megabytes per second (Mbps).

Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN)

MAN networks are made up of a set of LAN networks, which allows them to have a considerably greater area extension.

They are designed for industrial complexes, very large educational institutions, towns, or even cities. For example, local governments use them to offer free Wi-Fi signal in large public spaces.

It can cover a distance between 10 and 50 kilometers, and operates at a speed between 10 Mbps and 10 Gbps (gigabytes). In the latter case, this is the case if the data transmission is carried out with optical fiber.

The wireless version of the metropolitan area networks (WMAN, for its acronym in English: Wireless Metropolitan Area Network) can reach up to 48 kilometers of action radius.

Wide Area Networks (WAN)

WAN networks contain to their credit an extensive aggregate of LAN and MAN networks interconnected. This makes it possible to cover even larger areas, which can cover entire countries and regions.

The nodes of a WAN network can be separated from each other by distances ranging from 100 to 1000 kilometers.

In this case, the data transmission is carried out via satellite or via radio signals. Their operating speed ranges from 1 megabyte to 1 gigabyte, and they are extremely robust networks.

Global Area Networks (GAN)

GAN networks allow communication between workstations located anywhere in the world. An example of this is the global positioning system, popularly known by its acronym in English: GPS.

This type of network includes the connection of multiple WAN networks through a fiberglass structure that, in turn, is grouped by international submarine cables or by satellite transmission.

Therefore, the geographic coverage of GAN networks has no restrictions. It operates at a transmission speed between 1.5 Mbps and 100 Gbps.

According to the type of connection

Star configuration

The workstations are connected to the issuing entity as if it were an asterisk; that is, the central server is in the center and the rest of the team is located around it.

Ring configuration

All the clients of the system are connected to each other, one next to the other, forming a circle.

Mesh configuration

All devices are arranged with point-to-point connections with the rest of the network receivers; that is, they can communicate in series or in parallel with the rest of the interconnected elements.

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