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Networking Concepts

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Introduction

The pages in this section introduce you to basic networking principles.

• Parts of a network

Regardless of whether a network is fast or slow, wired or wireless, all networks share certain fundamental characteristics. At a minimum, there must be a computer making a request, a computer responding to a request, and a mechanism for the two of them to communicate.

A simple home network can be made from two computers, a printer, some form of connection, a router, and an Internet connection. UIUCnet shares the same general structure as that small home network, though many more computers and subnetworks are connected to it.

• Fundamental elements of networking

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