| | Networks : Introduction | 
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A computer network is a group of computers which are connected together to allow communication between them.
Computer networks can be classified in many different ways. Some important comparisons are :
1.
| Over how wide an area the network is spread. Networks in
small areas are known as local area networks (LANs)
and networks which cover larger areas are known as
wide area networks (WANs).
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| 2.
| Whether network resources such as file storage space and
printers are controlled
centrally by a server or whether control is distributed
between the network stations on a peer-to-peer network.
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| 3.
| How the communication links between the stations on the network are arranged. This
arrangement is known as the network topology.
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The speed at which data can be sent between different computers on a network is vital. The data transmission rate of a network or connection is commonly referred to as its bandwidth. Many home computers and computer networks have now been linked together to form the Internet.
GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004