Computing Networks

In this lesson you will learn more about the computer architecture which outlines how computers are organized in the network and tasks assigned to computers; specifically focusing on the physical and digital aspects of computer networks. Information in this lesson will be familiar to previous lessons already discussed in this course.

Computer network architecture outlines how computers are organized in the network and what tasks are assigned to computers. Hardware, software, transmission media, network topology and communications protocols make up the digital and physical aspects of computer networks.

Let’s think about an earlier module in which you learned about the organization of computers and networking.

A computer network is composed of two or more computers connected by cables(wired) or WiFi (wireless) with the purpose of transmitting, exchanging, or sharing data and resources. Nearly every digital device belongs to a computer network. Computer networks are built using hardware (routers, switches, access point, and cables) and software (Operating systems and applications). The Internet for instance, is a network of networks that connects billions of digital services worldwide.

Computer networking requires the use of physical infrastructure, including switches, routers and wireless access points combined with the software that operates the physical. Networks must rely on the use of standard protocol to uniformly perform specific functions or communicate different types of data. You will create a better understanding of the standard protocols necessary to complete tasks in the next lesson.

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