Many of you have probably heard of the term "network," but do you really know what it means? In this section, we will introduce you to the world of networks. You are probably more familiar with networks than you think. For example, the Internet is an example of a large network! You can randomly browse around the sections here, or you can use the arrows and links that will be at the bottom of each page. Happy exploring!
If you have no idea what a network is, this is the place to start! In this section, we will give an overview of what a network is, how networks are classified, and the parts of a network.
Networks did not just spring up overnight. Rather, it took years for scientists and engineers to advance this technology. The first networks were relatively simple, but now, we have networks that span the whole world, like the Internet!
LANs are one of the two types of networks. Usually, they connect computers within a few kilometers (or less) of each other and are found in homes or small office buildings.
Ethernet is one of the most popular local-area network protocols in the world.
Token Rings are less-popular alternatives to Ethernet.
WANs are usually comprised of two or more LANs. They can span large distances. The Internet, a type of WAN spans the whole world!
The Internet, a type of wide-area network, is the primary reason why people use computers! It connects people and computers throughout the world! Find out here what it is and what it can be used for!
