What is a Network?
In computer terms, a network is a collection of computers that are linked together by various means
This linking means that computers can share resources and offer up facilities to be available across the network. Common examples of this would be printers and internet access
The linking can be, these days, cabled or wireless, and can be permanent or transitory. An example of a permanent network would be a number of desktop computers linked by cables within an office. A transitory network connection might be a salesman with a laptop connecting to the internet using a wireless connection at a public access point
By linking office machines together it helps the different sources to information to be available for all the others within the office. Instead of needing a printer for all the different computers they can be shared. The same for internet access, 10 computers needing to access the internet do not need 10 phone lines and ten accounts to pay, they can all share a fast connection at a fraction of the price of the multiples and everybody is happy, especially the accountant
In a physical sense, modern wired networks consist of computers with a device called a Network Interface Card, (or more often, Network Card,) attached to a central Hub, (or more often than not these days, a Switch.) Other devices on the network such as printers would have their own version of a network card
A wireless network has it's own analogue to the above, a Wireless Interface Card instead of a Network Card, a Wireless Access Point to a Hub/Switch and Radio Frequencies instead of the cables. It is possible to use "wireless computers" without an Access Point to give what is known as an Adhoc Wireless Network
Over the physical network described above the computers need to be able to "talk". This uses a "language" called a "protocol". This protocol defines how the computers address each other and exchange information
In a small setting there isn't too much to do and many small office products are designed to make it as easy as they can. As the numbers concerned expand, and the complexity of the requirements, then it has the potential to become "somewhat complicated." This is where Summit IT can help