Network


 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_network#Functional_relationship_.28network_architectures.29

NETWORKS**


 * WHAT IS A NETWORK?**

Lowe states: A network is nothing more than two or more computers connected to each other so that they can exchange information, such as e-mail messages or documents, or share resources, such as disk storage or printers. In most cases, this connection is made via electrical cables that carry the information in the form of electrical signals. But in some cases, other types of connections are used. For example, fiber-optic cables let computers communicate at extremely high speeds by using impulses of light. Wireless networks let computers communicate by using radio signals, so the computers aren't restricted by physical cables.

In addition to the hardware that comprises the network, a network also requires special software to enable communications. In the past you had to add this software to each computer on the network. Nowadays, network support is built in to all major operating systems. Including all current versions of Windows, Macintosh operating systems, and Linux.


 * Network building blocks**:

All networks, large or small require specialized network hardware to make them work. For small networks, the hardware may consist of nothing more than a network interface-card in each computer, a cable for each computer, and a network switch that all the computers plug in to. Larger networks probably ave additional components, such as routers or repeaters.

Small or large, all networks are built from the following basic building blocks:
Client computers Server computers Network interface-card (NIC) Cable Switches Wireless networks Network software

=== Specifically, networks are about sharing three things: Information, resources, and applications===


 * LAN: Local Area Network**