Fundamentals of Computer Networks

Computer networking is an ever-evolving field. With new technological advancements, computer management can be an exciting and rewarding career path. Computer networkers and security professionals are the ones who make sure computer systems run smoothly. They can install operating systems, configure networks, back up servers, and manage network security. A computer network is a group of computers that use a set of common communication protocols over digital interconnections for the purpose of sharing resources located on or provided by the network nodes. The interconnections between nodes are formed from a broad spectrum of telecommunication network technologies, based on physically wired, optical, and wireless radio-frequency methods that may be arranged in a variety of network topologies. The nodes of a computer network may be classified by many means as personal computers, servers, networking hardware, or general purpose hosts. They are identified by host names and network addresses. Network addresses serve for locating and identifying the nodes by communication protocols such as the Internet Protocol.