skip navigation

Fundamental Elements of Networking

CITES > networking > concepts > elements

Introduction

There are four elements that distinguish different types of networks from each other: speed, size, connection methods, and data-sharing methods. These pages introduce you to the basic types of networking technologies currently available for UIUCnet network users.

• Network speed

One of the distinguishing features of a network is its speed: how much data per second the network can transmit. Generally speaking, the faster a network is, the more expensive it is for home users to have installed in their home.

• Network size

Another defining characteristic of a network is its size, from "two computers and a cable" all the way up to the Internet as a whole.

• Connection methods

A network is also defined by the way that computers within it connect to each other, whether by phone lines, Ethernet lines, wireless networking, or some combination.

• Data and file sharing

The last defining characteristic of a network is how computers exchange data with each other. There are three main types of file sharing; a network can use just one file sharing method or any combination of the three.