Computer Network – Introduction

When computers were initially invented, it was the single computer that was located in a huge room. It was used for solving real complicated mathematical problems like cryptography and so on. Soon we realized that we need a  computer of our own in order to solve problems that would have taken many years to compute.

But then it became apparent that more computing power and collaboration could be achieved if we could connect these computers together. And that is probably the beginning of the science of computer network. Now, we indeed deal with information gathering, processing, and distribution on a large scale.

So now the merger between computer and communication fields is need of the hour. Compared to the old model where a single computer used to serve all our needs, today we have a large number of separated but interconnected computers to do the job.

Research in data communications and networking has resulted in many new technologies. One of the goals is to be able to exchange data such as text, audio, and video from all points in the world.

We want to access the Internet to download and upload information quickly and accurately and at any time. When we want to communicate, we simply want to share data/information(either remotely or local). Now let us see some basic terms related to this topic:

1.Network

It basically means a communication system in which many users are connected internally via a communication channel(consists of nodes and links).The network can also be defined according to the geographic area it spans.

Local area networks (LANs), for example, typically span over a single home, school, or small office building, whereas wide area networks (WANs), reach across cities, states, or even across the world. The Internet is the world’s largest public WAN.

2. Protocols

If a sender sends any data in the communication channel, it can’t be assured that the message (data) will be successfully received by the receiver. There are certain rules to be followed to ensure proper communication. These rules(that must be followed) are called as protocols.

Many different protocols are used in the modern data communication system. A protocol is a standard used to define a method of exchanging data over a computer network such as a local area network, Internet, Intranet, etc.

Each protocol has its own method of how data can be formatted when sent and what to do with it once received, how that data is compressed, or how to check for errors in data.

3. Data

The word data mainly refers to information presented in whatever form is agreed upon by the parties creating and using the data. Data communications are basically the exchange of data between two devices via some form of transmission medium such as a wire cable.

Data is used by everyone and it has become everyone’s need and each person is dependent on data networking and uses them frequently. They do most of their work with the help of data.

For data communications to occur, the communicating devices must be part of a communication system made up of a combination of hardware (physical equipment) and software (programs).

The effectiveness of a data communications system depends on four fundamental characteristics: delivery, accuracy, timeliness, and jitters.

4. Distributed System:

You must have heard master-slave network. In a communication network,if a master computer is present (only one control unit) and many slave devices(with remote devices and terminals) then the network is called as Distributed network(and not a computer network).

Thus in distributed network users can able to handle all the networks personally as the system takes care of it without user’s knowledge.Thus we can say that a distributed system is a software built on the network .

 

Lastly, i must say that you should stay tuned for more interesting topics in this wonderful subject.

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Techie Aric

Aric is a tech enthusiast , who love to write about the tech related products and 'How To' blogs . IT Engineer by profession , right now working in the Automation field in a Software product company . The other hobbies includes singing , trekking and writing blogs .

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