network

network, in computing, two or more computers connected for the purpose of routing, managing, and storing rapidly changing data. A local area network (LAN), which is restricted by distances of up to one mile, and a metropolitan area network (MAN), which is restricted to distances of up to 60 miles, connect personal computers and workstations (each called a node) over dedicated, private communications links. A wide area network (WAN) connects large numbers of nodes over long-distance communications links, such as common carrier telephone lines, over distances ranging from that between major metropolitan centers to that between continents. An internet is a connection between networks. The Internet is a WAN that connects thousands of disparate networks in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, and elsewhere, providing global communication between nodes on government, educational, and industrial networks. Networks allow for resource sharing (e.g., multiple computers sharing one printer), data sharing, and communication or data exchange (e.g., electronic mail).

Bibliography

See W. Stallings, ed., Advances in Local and Metropolitan Area Networks (1994); F. Halsall, Data Communications, Computer Networks, and Open Systems (4th ed. 1996); R. Cahn, Wide Area Network Design: Concepts and Tools for Optimization (1998); T. Parnell and C. Null, Network Administrator's Reference (1999).

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network

In broadcasting, a radio or television company that produces programs for broadcast to member stations. See ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, PBS.

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network

(1) A system that transmits any combination of voice, video and/or data between users. The network includes the network operating system in the client and server machines, the cables connecting them and all supporting hardware in between such as bridges, routers and switches. In wireless systems, antennas and towers are also part of the network.

Almost all local networks (LANs) in offices and homes are Ethernet networks, which conform to the IEEE's 802.11 specification. The wireless version of Ethernet is commonly known as "Wi-Fi." See 802.11, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, LAN, WAN, client, server, enterprise networking and communications.

(2) Any arrangement of elements that are interconnected. See network database.

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network

1. Electronics a system of interconnected components or circuits

2. Computing a system of interconnected computer systems, terminals, and other equipment allowing information to be exchanged

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network [′net‚wərk]

(communications)

A number of radio or television broadcast stations connected by coaxial cable, radio, or wire lines, so all stations can broadcast the same program simultaneously.

(electricity)

A collection of electric elements, such as resistors, coils, capacitors, and sources of energy, connected together to form several interrelated circuits. Also known as electric network.

(engineering)

net

(mathematics)

The name given to a graph in applications in management and the engineering sciences; to each segment linking points in the graph, there is usually associated a direction and a capacity on the flow of some quantity.

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(networking)

network - Hardware and software data communication systems. The OSI seven layer model attempts to provide a way of partitioning any computer network into independent modules from the lowest (physical) layer to the highest (application) layer. Many different specifications exist at each of these layers. Networks are often also classified according to their geographical extent: local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN) and also according to the protocols used. See BITNET, Ethernet, Internet, Novell, PSTN, network, the. [Tanenbaum, A., "Computer Networks; 2nd ed.", Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1989.]