Networking Fundamentals

The most elementary of all networks consists of two computers that are connected to each other using some kind of wire or cable to transmit data from one machine to the other. No matter how many computers may be interlinked, or what kinds of connections may be in use.

• Data sharing premises groups of users to exchange information routinely and to route data from one individual to another as workflow demand.

• Because data sharing also premits message, documents, and other files to circulate among users, it can also improve human communication substantially.

• Peripheral device sharing lets groups of users take advantages of peripherals such as printers, scanners, fax machines, and other devices attached directly to a network or to a generally available computer attached to a network.