Do you ever wonder how computers and information are connected to each other? They are connected by networks. A network is a collection of devices connected together by transmission media. For example, a business can decide that they are going to provide all of their employees with computers that are connected together by a network. Advantages to this is that the company can control what programs and tools are available to each person. There are other advantages as well like better communication. Through networks people can communicate by email, chat, blog, and many other ways. Also, through networking you can share software and hardware. For example, many computers in a computer lab can be connected to one printer instead of the costly and inefficient alternative of each computer having its own. And say you want all of the computers to have Microsoft Office. Through networking, you can by a site license, for a discounted price, that allows all devices on that network access to the software.
Some common types of networks are LAN, MAN, and WAN. Local area network (LAN) is a network that connects devices in a limited area. A home, business office, or a school lab would be examples of this type of network. A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a network that connects LANs in a city or a town. A cable provider like COX or a telephone company would be an example of people who manage MAN networks. Finally, a wide area network (WAN) connects extremely large areas like countries or the world using a communications channel. The Internet is the biggest WAN in the world.
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