What is a Computer Network?
As the name suggests, it is a network of computers that are connected to each other.
You may have heard of LAN or WAN.
What is LAN?
LAN stands for Local Area Network and it is a network of computers that have been connected locally.
This enables them share resources with each other.
A LAN covers a small geographic area such as a school or an office.
What is WAN?
WAN stands for Wide Area Network and it is a network of computers that have been connected to each other over a wide geographic area.
The Internet is a perfect example of a WAN.
Data Transmission
Simplex, half-duplex and full-duplex
SIMPLEX – Data transmission in one direction only.
HALF-DUPLEX – Data transmission on two directions, but not at the same time
FULL-DUPLEX – Data transmission in two directions at the same time
Serial and parallel data transmission
SERIAL: Data is sent one bit at a time over a single wire/channel.
PARALLEL: Several bits of data are sent over several wires/channels at the same time.
Asynchronous and synchronous data transmission
Universal Serial Bus USB
Asynchronous serial data transmission