Computer networks link computers and other devices together to share resources, information, and services. They can be based on wireless or wired connections and can be configured in a variety of network topologies. Networks are crucial for business today, and help us communicate with each other, collaborate and work effectively. They also help with access to data and security.

Computer networking is a broad field that www.boardroomco.net/how-to-normalize-data-in-excel covers the creation as well as the maintenance and construction of communication networks. It is an amalgamation of computer science, electrical engineering and telecommunications.

The Internet is the most well-known computer network with billions of users to connect and share resources at the same time. The network employs a packet switching model to guide data traffic through an almost endless number of connections and routes. Each packet contains control information as well user information. The control information includes the source and destination network address, error detection codes, and sequencing information. The payload is contained in the data portion of a byte.

In the typical business network there is an central server that holds information and controls access to crucial resources such as photocopiers, printers, and files. The server is protected by firewalls and multifactor authentication systems to ensure that only authorized network users can access it. The fact that all information is centralized on servers helps administrators to perform regular backups of their data, and to implement strict security policies for networks. Additionally, it allows employees to access corporate applications and services regardless of location — for example, video-calling and document-sharing software.