Introducing networks

A network is created when more than one device is connected together. A network can be a small collection of computers connected within a building (eg a school, business or home) or it can be a wide collection of computers connected around the world.

Data packets

The main purpose of networking is to share data between computers. A file has to be broken up into small chunks of data known as data packets in order to be transmitted over a network. The data is then re-built once it reaches the destination computer. Networking hardware is required to connect computers and manage how data packets are communicated. Protocols are used to control how data is transmitted across networks.

There are advantages and disadvantages to using networks.

Advantages

• Communication – it is easy (and often free) to communicate using email, text messages, voice calls and video calls.
• Roaming – if information is stored on a network,…