Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 17. Local Area Networking
Defining a Network
A network is a group of two or more computers that intelligently share hardware or software devices
with each other. A network can be as small and simple as two computers that share a printer or as
complex as the world's largest network: the Internet.
Home and SOHO (small-office, home office) networks are typically used to share a single Internet
connection, but they can also be used to share other resources, such as printers or multifunction
devices. A network enables devices connected to one computer to be shared intelligently with other
computers or devices on a network.
Intelligently sharing means that each computer that shares resources with another computer or
computers maintains control of that resource. Thus, a USB switchbox for sharing a single printer
between two or more computers doesn't qualify as a network device; because the switchbox—not the
computers—handles the print jobs, neither computer knows when the other one needs to print, and
print jobs can potentially interfere with each other.
A shared printer, on the other hand, can be controlled remotely and can store print jobs from different
computers on the print server's hard disk. Users can change the sequence of print jobs, hold them, or
cancel them. And, sharing of the device can be controlled through passwords, further differentiating it
from a switchbox.
You can share or access many different types of devices over a network, but the most common
devices include the following:
• Printers (including multifunction devices)
• Storage devices
• Modems
• Cameras
• Media players/recorders
• Tablets
• Smartphones
• Game consoles
Entire drives or just selected folders can be shared with other users via the network.
In addition to sharing a single Internet connection among multiple users and reducing hardware costs
by sharing expensive printers and other peripherals among multiple users, networks provide further
benefits to users:
• Electronic mail (email) can be sent and received.
• Multiple users can share access to software and data files.
• Files and folders can be backed up to local or remote shares.
• Audio and video content can be streamed to multiple devices.
• Multiple users can contribute to a single document using collaboration features.
• Remote-control/access programs can be used to troubleshoot problems or show new users how
