Computer Network



First, you need to define which type of network will you be using, how many computers will be on the network, how many computers will have access to it locally and how many might need remote access, how many computers and other devices will be connected to the network, and who would be in charge of running or managing the network.

After you’ve answered all these questions you need to know which equipment or hardware will you be using to create this network, it can include router, hub, cables, network cards, depending on your needs.


Network Types



  • Local Area Network (LAN)

    • A LAN will connect computers over a short distance, like buildings, or libraries. It's the most common type of network that can be found on a home.

  • Wide Area Network (WAN)

    • A WAN is a sharing of data between computers over a large area and even sometimes between two or more countries. The largest WAN example is the internet.

  • Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

    • It's just like the LAN but over a wireless connection like Wi-Fi.

  • Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

    • This type of connects two or more Local Area Networks but doesn't go much far than that area, it's usually bigger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN.

  • Campus Area Network (CAN)

    • This was created for college and universites, it usually connects computers within a campus so students can have easy access to the internet.

Network Components



  • Network Card

    • A card usually PCI or USB that connects your computer to a network.

  • Repeater

    • A device that takes the signal of a computer and amplifies it so it can reach a farther area.

  • Hub

    • A hub it's just like a splitter in a television set, it takes the data of a single cable and multiplies it to different computers using the same transmission without managing the information and just like in a television set if there are too many connections using it at the same time it can get slower.

  • Bridge

    • Does the same thing as a hub but in this case it does not send the data to all ports like the hub does, instead only sends the information to the port that requested it.

  • Router

    • Very commonly used in DSL, a router it's a device that connects computer to the internet by cable(wire) or radio.


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