what is Computer networks?

A computer network technician is a set of devices interconnected with each other through a medium, which exchange information and share resources. Basically, communication within a computer network is a process in which there are two well-defined roles for connected devices, sender and receiver, which are assumed and alternated at different times.

There are also messages, which is what these roles exchange. The structure and mode of operation of current computer networks are defined in several standards, the most widespread of all being the TCP / IP model, based on the OSI reference or theoretical model.

From the previous definition we can identify the main actors in any computer network, which we will see next.

Dispositives

Devices connected to a computer network can be classified into two types: those that manage access and communications in a network (network devices), such as modem, router, switch, access point, bridge, etc .; and those that connect to use it (end user devices), such as computer, notebook, tablet, cell phone, printer, smart TV, video game console, etc.

Those who use a network, in turn, can fulfill two roles (classification of networks by functional relationship): server, where the device provides a service for anyone who wants to consume it; or client, where the device consumes one or more services from one or more servers. This type of network architecture is called client / server.

On the other hand, when all the devices in a network can be clients and servers at the same time and it becomes impossible to distinguish roles, we are in the presence of a point-to-point or peer to peer architecture . Different types of architectures coexist on the Internet.