A computer network is a system for Communication among two or more computers. These networks may be fixed (network cable, permanent) or temporary (as via Modems or null modems).
=Categorizing=
Local area network (LAN)
HomePNA
Power line communication (HomePlug)
Metropolitan area network (MAN)
Wide area network (WAN)
==By functional relationship==
Client-server
==By network topology==
Bus network
Star network
Ring network
Mesh network
Star-bus network
==By specialized function==
Storage area networks
Server farms
Process control networks
Value added network
SOHO network
Wireless community network
=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
Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Bluetooth
DECnet
Ethernet
Fiber distributed data interface
Frame relay
HIPPI
FireWire aka FireWire, iLink
IEEE 802.11
IEEE-488
Internet Protocol
IPX
Myrinet
QsNet
RS-232
Sequenced packet exchange
System network architecture
Token Ring
Transmission Control Protocol
TCP Tuning for discussion of improving performance of same
Universal Serial Bus
User datagram protocol
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==
==Data transmission==
===Wired transmission===
Public switched telephone network
Modems and dialup
Dedicated lines – leased lines
Time-division multiplexing
Packet switching
Frame relay
Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy
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
Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service
SMDS
Mobile phone data transmission (channel access methods)
Code division multiple access
Cellular digital packet data
Global system for mobile communications
Time division multiple access
Paging (telecommunications) networks
DataTAC
Mobitex
Motient
==Other==
Computer networking device
Network card
Naming schemes
Network monitoring
=See also=
*Computing
*ARPANET
*BITNET
*Internet
Internet networks:
Internet backbone
SITA and eQuant
Transit
Stub network
*Ambient network
=References=
Andrew S. Tanenbaum, Computer Networks (ISBN 0133499456).
List of important publications in computer science#Computer networks
=External links=
[http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-921/networking.htm Networking and Microcomputers]
[http://www.elook.org/computing/network.htm Network – eLook Computing Reference] – defines what a network is and provides leading links
[http://www.ericdigests.org/1993/k-12.htm Networking: K-12]
[http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/hmnetwk1.html How to set up a home network]
[http://www.techbooksforfree.com/networking.shtml Open source and non-copyrighted books on networking available for free download]
Prof. Rahul Banerjee s [http://discovery.bits-pilani.ac.in/rahul/PDFversions/Complete-InetBook-PHI-2003-Secure.pdf free e-book on Internetworking Technologies] deals with the foundations of major internetworking architectures (chapters 4–9)
[http://www.netfilter.org/documentation/HOWTO//networking-concepts-HOWTO.html Easy Network Concepts] (Linux kernel specific)