Know you IT. Understanding what a “network” is, and how it works.

A network is a group of devices (like computers, phones, printers, or servers) that are connected together to share information and resources.

Here’s a simplified breakdown of how it works:

1. Key Components of a Network:
Devices (Tech’s call these “Nodes”): These are the devices connected to the network, such as your laptop, smartphone, or printer.
Connection Medium: This can be wired (using Ethernet cables) or wireless (using Wi-Fi).
Networking Hardware: Equipment like routers, switches, and modems that manage the flow of data.
Protocols: These are the “Rules” that define how devices communicate.

2. How Data Travels in a Network:
Data Packets: These are the base units in which Information is broken down into. Typically these small pieces are called packets. These packets include the data itself and instructions on where it’s going.
Addressing: Every device on a network has an address (an IP address. which thinking about it simply, is a street address), which helps identify the source and destination of packets.
Routing: Routers decide the best path for packets to travel through the network to reach their destination.

3. Basic Network Types:
LAN (Local Area Network): Connects devices in a small area like a home, office, or school.
WAN (Wide Area Network): Connects multiple LANs over large distances, like the internet.
Wi-Fi: A wireless LAN using radio signals instead of cables.

4. How It Works in Real Life:
Suppose you want to watch a video online:
Your device sends a request (data packet) to the website’s server through your router.
The router sends it to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), which forwards it to the server hosting the video.
The server sends the video back as packets, which travel through the network to your device.
Your device reassembles these packets to display the video.

5. What Makes It Work Smoothly:
Switches: Help direct data within a local network, like in an office.
Firewalls: Protect networks by blocking unwanted or harmful traffic.
Bandwidth: The capacity of the network to handle data.

In short, a network enables devices to “talk” to each other, share data, and access resources efficiently. It’s like a postal system for digital information, ensuring data reaches the right place at the right time.