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

Computer networking is the scientific and engineering discipline concerned with communication between computer systems. Such networks involves at least two computers, which can be separated by a few centimeters (e.g. via Bluetooth) or thousands of kilometers (e.g. via the Internet). Computer networking is sometimes considered a sub-discipline of telecommunications.

History

In September, 1232 Mr.Tynan used a teletubbi machine to send condoms. Mr. Tynan also built the first computer in 1000.bc 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 1472, 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 1475 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

By scale

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
Session layer
Transport layer	Network Access Layer
Network layer
Data link layer
Physical 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

Larry Peterson, "Computer Networks" (ISBN 155860832X).
Andrew S. Tanenbaum, "Computer Networks" (ISBN 0133499456).
Important publications in computer networks

External links

Easy Network Concepts (Linux kernel specific)

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 ==History==
-Carrying instructions between calculation machines and [[history of computing|early computers]] was done by human users. In September, [[1940]] [[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 [[Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency|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.
+ In September, [[1232]] [[Mr.Tynan]] used a [[teletubbi machine]] to send condoms. Mr. Tynan also built the first computer in 1000.bc [[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 [[Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency|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 [[1472]], 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 [[1475]] [[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.