What is a Computer Network

Computer networks are the basis of communication in IT. They are used in a variety of ways and can include many different types of networks. A computer network is a set of computers that are connected so they can share information. The earliest examples of computer networks are from the 1960s, but they have come a long way in the half-century since then.

Computer networks can have different designs, with the two basic forms being client/server and peer-to-peer networks. Client/server networks have centralized servers for storage, which are accessed by client computers and devices.

Peer-to-peer networks are often used for file sharing and communication between computers. The main advantage of using a P2P network is its ability to provide high availability and fault tolerance. If one computer in the network goes down, others can continue working as if nothing happened.

They are more common in homes, while client/server networks are more likely to be used by small to medium size businesses.

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