The most basic form of a network is defined by two computers which are connected and can communicate with each other. The first networks ran over standard telephone lines and were often between colleges, research institutes and military organizations. It was not until the 1990s that networking really started to become a significant part of everyday life.

A more advanced network will have multiple computers, often in different locations; these computers can be of different types and will be connected through specialized networking components.


The common components of a network include:

Client: A client computer requests information from other computers in the networks.

Server: A server is a computer that responds to requests for information from other computers in the network.

Communication protocols: A protocol is a set of rules or methods which complete a specific function. A communication protocol allows two connected devices to communicate. The two devices must use the same protocol or they will be unable to communicate, just as two people speaking to one another must have a common language or they cannot communicate. The most important protocol today is TCP/IP, the language of the Internet.

Communication media:If two computers have agreed on a common language, they still need a means of “talking” to one another. The two common forms of communication media in today's network are: Wired and Wireless.

Specialized networking equipment: Common networking equipment includes the following:

• Clients-requesting information from other computers
• Servers-providing information to client requests
• Switch-a device that works as a common physical connection point for multiple computers
• Media-the means of connecting the equipment (may be wired or wireless)
• Router-a device that connects two or more networks together, often the connection point between an organization and the internet
• Internet-a worldwide network of interconnected devices (and also a place to shop)

All the components are present in a complex network. Having all components working together is the reason people are able to access email, use the internet and share information. With these technologies, we are more productive now than at any other time in recent memory.

TCP/IP  

TCP/IP is the communication protocol or language of the Internet. Every computer connected to the Internet runs TCP/IP. It was developed for the early networks of 1960s and 1970s. TCP/IP has provided efficient means for computers to communicate. Every single device, worldwide that is connected to the Internet must use the TCP/IP protocol.

One of the most visible parts of the TCP/IP is IP address. Each computer on the network has a unique IP address. The presence of a unique address enables every computer to send messages directly to any other computer on the internet. This is how computers “find” each other on the TCP/IP network. IP addresses looks like the following:

“10.23.45.63”

To find the IP address:

1. Open Command Prompt dialog box. Start>Programs>Accessories>Command Prompt.

2. Type ipconfig

3. Press Enter

The IP address of your machine is displayed.