What is networking (technology)?

Networking connects and interlinks computing devices, systems, and software applications to enable online communication, data transmission, and resource sharing. This encompasses a various technologies, protocols, and methodologies that facilitate these connections.

Networking is widely used for communication in businesses, educational & government institutions. It's essential for internet access and device connectivity. Networking supports telecommunications, healthcare systems, government operations, cloud computing, online gaming, and social platforms.

Networking technology overview:

  1. Hardware Network Components: including devices such as routers, switches, hubs, network interface cards (NICs), modems, and cables that physically connect computers and other devices in a network.

  2. Network Protocols: sets of rules and conventions (standards) governing how data is transmitted and received over a network. Examples include communication protocols like TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), websockets, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), long polling, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and DNS (Domain Name System).

  3. Networking Software: refers to software apps and utilities designed to manage, monitor, and optimize network operations. Examples include network management systems (NMS), network monitoring tools (like telemetry), firewalls, and intrusion detection systems (IDS).

  4. Network Architectures: are the designs and frameworks used to structure and organize networks, such as client-server architecture, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, and cloud-based networks.

  5. Security Measures: by implementing security measures to protect data and resources from unauthorized access, interception, and malicious attacks. This includes encryption, authentication, access control, and intrusion prevention mechanisms.

  6. Wireless Networking: involves establishing connections between devices without physical cables, using technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular networks.

Types of Networks:

Local Area Network (LAN): Covers a small area like an office building. Example: A network connecting computers and printers in a single office.

Wide Area Network (WAN): Spans large geographic areas, often connecting multiple LANs. Example: The internet - WWW (World Wide Web).

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): Covers a city or a large campus. Example: A city's public Wi-Fi network.

Personal Area Network (PAN): A very small network for personal devices. Example: Bluetooth connections between a smartphone and a wireless headset.

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): Uses wireless connections within a LAN. Example: Wi-Fi in a coffee shop.

Virtual Private Network (VPN): Extends a private network over a public one. Example: Employees accessing their company's network securely from remote locations.

Storage Area Network (SAN): Provides access to consolidated, block-level data storage. Example: A network used by data centers for high-speed storage solutions.

Campus Area Network (CAN): Interconnects multiple LANs within a limited area. Example: A university network connecting different departments and buildings.

Enterprise Private Network (EPN): Built by organizations to connect various locations. Example: A bank's private network linking all its branches.

Home Area Network (HAN): Connects devices within a home. Example: A home network connecting PCs, smart TVs, and other IoT devices for internet access and resource sharing.

Network Administration

Network administration involves designing, implementing, and maintaining computer networks to ensure optimal performance and security. This includes managing connection, configuring routers, switches, firewalls, and servers, managing network protocols like TCP/IP, and ensuring secure access via VPNs and firewalls. It also entails monitoring network performance, troubleshooting issues, and planning for scalability and redundancy to ensure continuous and reliable network operations.

Other names for networking:

  1. Connectivity / Interconnection

  2. Telecommunications

  3. Network infrastructure

  4. Computer networking

  5. Digital networking

  6. Information networking