What Is a Computer Network?

A computer network consists of two or more computers connected to each other. There are seven types of computer network: PAN, LAN, CAN, MAN, WAN, the internet, and VPN. By transmission type, computer networks are divided into two: broadcast and point-to-point.

Computer networks are inseparable from today's industrial technology. Global needs are closely tied to the development of computer technology to maximize the performance of modern people.

Today, internet use reaches almost every corner of the world. In Indonesia, too, the number of active internet users has increased significantly. One function of the internet is to connect one computer network with another.

What is a computer network?

A computer network is two or more computers connected to each other and used to share data resources.

Each endpoint in a network has an identifier, commonly called an IP address or media access control address. Endpoints can include servers, computers, telephones, and other network hardware. A computer network can be built using a combination of wired and wireless technologies.

A network can be private or public. On a private network, users usually need to enter credentials such as a password, which is set manually by an administrator or obtained directly by the user. On a public network such as the internet, access is not restricted.

History of computer networks

The history begins with the idea of sharing a single computer. The project was carried out by a group of researchers from Harvard University at Bell Laboratories, led by Howard Aiken.

In 1950, when the supercomputer was successfully built, the Time Sharing System (TSS) was also invented. This was one of the key moments in history, when computer networking was first applied.

Over time, the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) was invented in 1982. The Domain Name System (DNS) followed in 1984. The most historic moment came in 1990, when Tim Berners-Lee proposed the World Wide Web. In the following years, computer networks developed very rapidly.

Types of computer networks

1. PAN (Personal Area Network)

This type of network covers a smaller area, such as an office or a home. It is typically used only for internet access and printers, and does not require large resources.

2. LAN (Local Area Network)

A LAN connects network devices within a relatively small range. Examples include the networks in schools, offices, and homes.

Many people tend to use certain connectivity types, especially token ring and Ethernet. A LAN can also provide wireless networking through Wi-Fi, better known as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network).

3. CAN (Campus Area Network)

A CAN is similar to a MAN, but is limited to a campus or academic setting. It is mostly used for lab work, email, class updates, and the like.

4. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

A MAN is a network that connects computers to one another within a city on the same network. It is larger than a LAN.

5. WAN (Wide Area Network)

A WAN is a collection of geographically dispersed LANs. WANs tend to use technologies such as ATM, X.25, and Frame Relay for longer-distance connectivity.

6. Internet

The internet is the largest computer network ever created. It reaches almost every corner of the world. Anyone can access a wide range of information sources on many kinds of devices, such as PCs, smartphones, laptops, tablets, TVs, and more.

7. VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN is one solution for providing a more secure internet connection. It can create a secure path for data transmission. Today, many platforms offer VPNs, both free and premium.