Communications,+Networks+and+the+Internet

__**What is a network?**__ Network is when you join computers you form a network. For example not everyone in our school could get a printer for themselves. So your computer joins a network, by that you can link so a printer that exists already, it is more efficient that way. A computer that is connect to a network is called a “ Work-Station” Network allows you to share hardware, software and data.

__** What is LAN? **__ LAN stands for “local area network” It is when computers are close to one another say. For example in an office or two, or a buildings that are separated by a road, they can be joined together either by cables or wireless. Once the computers are connected together into a LAN, people can share and use the same resources at the same time. They can share files, software, hard disks and hardware such as a printer. Users can also use the LAN to communicate with each other by e-mail. Data can be transmitted very quickly between networked computers. A file server is often used to store each person's data files. This means that people can log onto any machine on the network and access their files. They are not restricted to just one machine. They could access they file anytime.

__**What is WAN?**__ WAN stands for “wide area network” It is when we link computer that is connected to LAN and link different LAN’s together. That is a WAN. It is usually connected through the telephone system, often using a modem. They can also be connected via fibre optic cables, microwave links or satellite.

__**Hardware that setsup a network**__


 * File Server || A File Server will store and manages files on the network.

The file server administrator usually set up a place where your own file is saved. The file server administrator also sets up places where you can share your file where everyone can access it. ||
 * Network Interface Card || Network Cards is a piece of hardware that is required if you want to connect to the network. ||
 * Network Cables || A network cable transfer information into electrical signal that computer can read ||
 * Hub || A Hub is a hardware that allows multiply computer to share data package. Each computer will be connected to a “port” but you could use a daisy chain to connect more computers. ||
 * Router || A Router is a device that transfers data from one network to another in an intelligent way. It has the task of forwarding data packets to their destination by the most routes. ||
 * Switch || A switch is a hardware that stops data collision. It allows the network to not slow down. ||
 * Modem || A modem converts signal that computer reads digital signal into telephone signals. ||
 * Network operating system || A Network operating system provides users logging on. Maintain the network connection to the server(s). Expand the file system to view folders on other computers. Provide security to separate user accounts from each other ||
 * Firewall || A firewall is a program or hardware device that filters the information coming through the Internet connection into your personal computer ||
 * Driver || A driver is a piece of software that converts commands such as print into instruction that hardware could understand ||
 * WI-FI || It is a communication technology that makes use of radio waves in order to connect to a local area network. It is also widely used to connect to the internet from a laptop or smart phone whilst out and about. ||