A computer network is build up from several components. These components together makes it possible to transfer data from one device to another and makes smooth communication between two different devices. In this guide, we will discuss the main components of a computer network.
Basic components of a computer network
Computer Network Components
Server: Servers are computers that runs operating system and hold data that can be shared over a computer network.
Client: A client is a computer that is connected to other computers in the network and can receive data sent by other computers.
Transmission Media: All computers in a computer network are connected with each other through a transmission media such as wires, optical fibre cables, coaxial cables etc.
Network Interface card: Each system or computer in a computer network must have a card called network interface card (NIC). The main purpose of NIC is to format the data, send the data and receive the data at the receiving node.
Hub: Hub acts as a device that connects all the computer in a network to each other. Any request that comes from a client computer first received by Hub and then hub transmit this request over a network so that the correct server receives and respond to it.
Switch: Switch is similar to hub however instead of broadcasting a incoming data request it uses the physical device address in the incoming request to transfer the request to correct server computer.
Router: Router joins multiple computer networks to each other. For example lets say a company runs 100 computers over a local area network(LAN) and another company runs another LAN of 150 computers. These both LANs can be connected with each other through a internet connection which is provided by the router.
LAN cable: A wire that is used to connect more than one computers or other devices such as printers and scanner to each other.
Internet, Intranet, and Extranet are three distinct networking concepts that play crucial roles in facilitating communication and information sharing within and between organizations.
1. Internet:
The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers and devices that spans the globe. It is a public network, accessible to anyone with an internet connection. The Internet allows for the transmission of data, information, and services across the world, making it a vast repository of information and a platform for various online activities such as web browsing, email, social media, and e-commerce. The Internet is open, and its primary purpose is to provide access to information and resources on a global scale.
2. Intranet:
An intranet is a private, internal network that operates within an organization. It uses the same technology and protocols as the Internet but restricts access to authorized users within the organization. Intranets are designed to facilitate communication and collaboration among employees and serve as a secure platform for sharing company-specific information, documents, and applications. They often include tools like email, document management, and internal websites to streamline business processes and improve information flow within the organization.
3. Extranet:
An extranet is a controlled extension of an organization's intranet that allows limited access to authorized external users, such as business partners, customers, suppliers, or contractors. It provides a secure environment for sharing specific resources and information with these external parties without granting them full access to the internal network. Extranets are commonly used for purposes like sharing project updates, providing access to specific databases, conducting e-commerce transactions, and collaborating on joint ventures. Security measures are crucial in extranets to protect sensitive data while enabling external collaboration.
In summary, the Internet is a global network open to the public, the intranet is an internal network restricted to a specific organization, and the extranet is a controlled extension of the intranet, allowing limited access to external partners. These three concepts serve different purposes but are essential for modern organizations to manage their internal and external communication and collaboration needs.