What is Computer Network?

Two or more computers connected together through a communication media form a computer network.

The computers are connected in a network to exchange information and data. The computers connected in a network can also use resources of other computers.

Computer Network Components:
There are different components of a network. Following are the basic components of network.

1. Server:
Powerful computers that provides services to the other computers on the network.

2. Client:
Computer that uses the services that a server provides. The client is less powerful than server.

3. Media:
A physical connection between the devices on a network.

4. Network Adopter:
Network adopter or network interface card (NIC) is a circuit board with the components necessary for sending and receiving data. It is plugged into one of the available slots on the Pc and transmission cable is attached to the connector on the NIC.

5. Resources:
Any thing available to a client on the network is considered a resource .Printers, data, fax devices and other network devices and information are resources.

6. User:
Any person that uses a client to access resources on the network.

8. Protocols:
These are written rules used for communications. They are the languages that computers use to talk to each other on a network