A network consists of two or more computers linked to one another to share resources. Networking technology is capable of sharing data, printers, computer peripherals, and Internet connections as well as voice transmissions
(Voice Over IP - VOIP).
With technological advancements, we are seeing the onset of wireless networking which will allow us to break free of the once needed physical bond in order to maintain connection to the network.

A networks' size is broken into areas with acronyms like
Local Area Network - LAN
Metropolitan Area Network -MAN
Wide Area Network - WAN

LANs are uaually confined to a single building or group of buildings. A LAN can be connected to other LANs over any distance via telephone lines. A system of LANs connected in this way is called a wide-area network (WAN) in reference to the physical distance that a request signal needs to travel. A LAN for instance is a network where the computers are housed in the immediate area (in a building), and a WAN is where the computers are so far apart that communications need to pass through a phone line or radio waves. Virtual Private Networks (VPN) is another area of networking dealing with a secure data "pipeline" for private communications.

1) Ring Network
2) Star Network
3) Bus Network

A star configuration is the best choice for a topology, because if a connection fails the rest of the network will not notice the loss. All other topological types rely on all connections working (break the backbone
of a Bus network and all nodes may lose connection with each other).

A protocol is the set of rules and guidelines that data communication is governed by. Not all protocols are equal, some allow for quicker transfer but sacrifice expansion capabilities such as Netbeui. Architecture also plays a factor in the creation of a network to determine whether a "peer to peer" or "server to client" network is needed. Computers and devices that allocate resources for a network are called servers, while computers on a network that request the resources a server provides are referred to as clients. Every device that is connected to the network is called a node.

What are the Benefits of a Network?

Internet access, whether it's broadband (cable, DSL) or dial up, can be shared over a network. With a little investment, a small business or home could potentially have up to a maximum of 253 PCs sharing one Internet connection making broadband the more affordable Internet solution. All of these configurations should also include a firewall for protection against intruders.

The benefits a small business or home user can realize from implementing a local network are numerous. Information can be shared without having to save the data files to a mobile media (floppy discs, CD's, Zip or Orb...). These files can be stored, or archived, on a single computer to make backing up information much more convenient. This can decrease the number of devices needed to create an archive as you only require one backup method. Additional benefits are that networked computers don't need to be in the same room, and a single printer can be shared throughout the entire network.