Computer Networks Definition and History

Computer network means, an interconnected set of autonomous computers. The term autonomous means that the computers can function independent of each other’s. However, the computers can exchange information with each other through the communication network system.

Computer networks are emerged as a result of convergence of two technologies computer and communication.

 History 

One of the most significant developments was the ARPANET (Advanced Research Project Agency Network).The ARPANET was start with only four nodes as an experimental network in 1969. The University of California at Los Angeles, the Stanford Research Institute, University of California at Santa Barbara, and the University of Utah were connected as the beginning of the ARPANET network using 50 kbit/s circuits. It has subsequently grown into a network of several computers spanning across the world. Some of the present day concept like packet switching evolved from the ARPANET project. One of the

problems with early computer networks was the bandwidth. In the later years, use of satellite communication and use of fiber optics allowed high-speed data communication over large distance. Today, computer networks are the core of modern communication.

Some Properties of computer Networks

·        Permit sharing of files, data, and other types of information

·        Facilitate communications

·        Share network and computing resources

Network Technologies

There is no generally accepted taxonomy into which all computer networks fit, even though there exist two general classification that are transmission technology and scale.

We discuss these two classifications in the following section.

Next:   Classification based on transmission technology

Index:  Computer Networks and Communication online coaching