Computer network

From Freepedia

A computer network is a system for communication among two or more computers. These networks may be fixed (cabled, permanent) or temporary (as via modems or null modems).

Contents 1 Categorizing 1.1 By functional relationship 1.2 By network topology 1.3 By specialized function 2 Protocol stacks 3 Suggested topics 3.1 Layers 3.2 Data transmission 3.2.1 Wired transmission 3.2.2 Wireless transmission 3.3 Other 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

Categorizing

• Local area network (LAN)
  • HomePNA
  • Power line communication (HomePlug)
• Metropolitan area network (MAN)
• Wide area network (WAN)

By functional relationship

• Client-server

By network topology

• Bus network
• Star network
• Ring network
• Mesh network
• Star-bus network

By specialized function

• Storage area networks
• Server farms
• Process control networks
• Value added network
• SOHO network
• Wireless community network

Protocol stacks

Computer networks may be implemented using a variety of protocol stack architectures, computer buses or combinations of media and protocol layers, incorporating one or more of:

• ARCNET
• AppleTalk
• ATM
• Bluetooth
• DECnet
• Ethernet
• FDDI
• Frame relay
• HIPPI
• IEEE 1394 aka FireWire, iLink
• IEEE 802.11
• IEEE-488
• IP
• IPX
• Myrinet
• QsNet
• RS-232
• SPX
• System Network Architecture
• Token Ring
• TCP
  • TCP Tuning for discussion of improving performance of same
• USB
• UDP
• X.25

For a list of more see Network protocols.

For standards see IEEE 802.

Suggested topics

Further reading for acquiring an in-depth understanding of computer networks include:

• Communication theory

Layers

OSI model	TCP/IP model
Application layer Presentation layer Session layer Transport layer Network layer Routing Data link layer Switching Physical layer	Application layer Transport layer Network layer Data link layer Physical layer

Data transmission

Wired transmission

• Public switched telephone network
  • Modems and dialup
• Dedicated lines – leased lines
• Time-division multiplexing
• Packet switching
• Frame relay
• PDH
• Ethernet
• RS-232
• Optical fiber transmission
  • Synchronous optical networking
  • Fiber distributed data interface

Wireless transmission

• Short range
  • Bluetooth
• Medium range
  • IEEE 802.11
• Long range
  • Satellite
  • MMDS
  • SMDS
  • Mobile phone data transmission (channel access methods)
    • CDMA
    • CDPD
    • GSM
    • TDMA
  • Paging networks
    • DataTAC
    • Mobitex
    • Motient

Other

• Computer networking device
  • Network card
• Naming schemes
• Network monitoring

See also

• Computing
• ARPANET
• BITNET
• Internet
  • Internet networks:
    • Backbone
    • SITA and eQuant
    • Transit
    • Stub
• Ambient network

References

• Andrew S. Tanenbaum, "Computer Networks" (ISBN 0133499456).
• Important publications in computer networks

External links

• Networking and Microcomputers
• Network – eLook Computing Reference – defines what a network is and provides leading links
• Networking: K-12
• How to set up a home network
• Open source and non-copyrighted books on networking available for free download
• Prof. Rahul Banerjee's free e-book on Internetworking Technologies deals with the foundations of major internetworking architectures (chapters 4–9)
• Easy Network Concepts (Linux kernel specific)