Computer Networks

Introduction

A computer network is a set of interconnected computing devices that can communicate and exchange data. This field of study is a subset of information technology, computer science, and electrical engineering.

History

The concept of computer networks originated in the 1950s with the development of the first electronic computers. The first practical computer network, the ARPANET, was established in the late 1960s by the United States Department of Defense.

Types of Computer Networks

There are several types of computer networks, including Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), and Personal Area Networks (PANs).

Network Topologies

Network topologies describe the arrangement of systems in a computer network. They can be categorized into five types: star, ring, bus, mesh, and tree topology.

Network Protocols

Network protocols are the rules that govern the end-to-end processes of timely, secure and managed data or network communication.

Network Architecture

Network architecture is the design of a computer network. It is a framework for the specification of a network's physical components and their functional organization and configuration, its operational principles and procedures, as well as data formats used in its operation.

Network Security

Network security involves the authorization of access to data in a network, which is controlled by the network administrator.