Computer networking

Network cards such as this one can transmit data at high speed over ethernet cables.

A computer network is a system for communication between computers. These networks George Stibitz used a teletype machine to send instructions for a problem set from his Model K at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire to his Complex Number Calculator in New York and received results back by the same means. Linking output systems like teletypes to computers was an interest at the Advanced Research Projects Agency ARPA when, in 1962, J.C.R. Licklider was hired and developed a working group he called the "Intergalactic Network", a precursor to the ARPANet. In 1964 researchers at Dartmouth developed a time sharing system for distributed users of large computer systems. The same year, at MIT, a research group supported by General Electric and Bell Labs used a computer (DEC's PDP-8) to route and manage telephone connections. In 1968 Paul Baran proposed a network system consisting of datagrams or packets that could be used in a packet switching network between computer systems. In 1969 the University of California at Los Angeles, SRI (in Stanford), 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.

Networks, and the technologies needed to connect and communicate through and between them, continue to drive computer hardware, software, and peripherals industries. This expansion is mirrored by growth in the numbers and types of users of networks from researchers and businesses to families and individuals in everyday use.

Categorizing

Local area network (LAN)
- HomePNA
- Power line communication (HomePlug)
Metropolitan area network (MAN)
Wide area network (WAN)
Personal area network (PAN)

By functional relationship

Client-server
Peer-to-peer (Workgroup)

By network topology

By specialized function

Protocol stacks

Computer networks may be implemented using a variety of protocol stack architectures, computer buses or combinations of media and protocol layers, incorporating one or more of:

ARCNET
AppleTalk
ATM
Bluetooth
DECnet
Ethernet
FDDI
Frame relay
HIPPI
IEEE 1394 aka FireWire, iLink
IEEE 802.11
IEEE-488
IP
IPX
Myrinet
QsNet
RS-232
SPX
System Network Architecture
Token Ring
TCP
- TCP Tuning for discussion of improving performance of same
USB
UDP
X.25

For a list of more see Network protocols.

For standards see IEEE 802.

Suggested topics

Further reading for acquiring an in-depth understanding of computer networks include:

Communication theory

Layers

OSI model	TCP/IP model
Application layer	Application layer
Presentation layer
Data link layer Switching		Network Access Layer
Physical layer		Network Access Layer

Data transmission

Wired transmission

Public switched telephone network
- Modems and dialup
Dedicated lines – leased lines
Time-division multiplexing
Packet switching
Frame relay
PDH
Ethernet
RS-232
Optical fiber transmission
- Synchronous optical networking
- Fiber distributed data interface

Wireless transmission

Short range
- Bluetooth
Medium range
- IEEE 802.11
Long range
- Satellite
- MMDS
- SMDS
- Mobile phone data transmission (channel access methods)
  - CDMA
  - CDPD
  - GSM
  - TDMA
- Paging networks
  - DataTAC
  - Mobitex
  - Motient

Other

References

Andrew S. Tanenbaum, "Computer Networks" (ISBN 0133499456).
Important publications in computer networks

External links

Easy Network Concepts (Linux kernel specific)
Computer Networks An explanation of Internet Applications
Computer Networking Lab Template:Link FA

--It fayyaz@hotmail.com 19:07, 12 April 2006 (UTC)