Computer networks connect devices, computers and other computers to share resources, information and services. They can be wireless or wired and configured to work in a variety of network topologies. Networks are vital to business today and enable us to communicate with colleagues, collaborate and work more efficiently. They also help with access to data and security.

Computer networking is a broad area that encompasses the concept as well as the architecture, creation, and maintenance of communication networks. It is an amalgamation of computer science, electrical engineering and telecommunications.

The most well-known computer network is the Internet that allows millions of people to connect and utilize the same resources simultaneously. The network uses a packet switching model to guide data traffic through an almost limitless number of connections and pathways. Each packet contains control information as well as user information. Control information includes the destination and source network addresses as well as error detection codes and sequencing information. The payload is located in the data part of a byte.

In a typical business network, there is a central server which stores information and controls access to crucial resources such as photocopiers, printers, files and printers. The server is protected by firewalls and multifactor authentication systems to ensure that only authorized users have access to it. The centralization of information on servers allows administrators and network security policy enforcers, to perform regular backups. It also lets employees access corporate services https://boardroomco.net/how-to-type-on-a-pdf/ and apps, regardless of where they are located — such as video-calling and document-sharing software.