The public Internet allows businesses around the world to share information with each other and their customers. The global computer network known as the World Wide Web provides services that let consumers buy books, clothes, and even cars online, or auction those same items off when no longer wanted. Networking, or attaching multiple electronic devices to facilitate information sharing, allows one computer to send information to and receive information from another. Certainly the Internet is the most conspicuous example of computer networking, linking millions of computers around the world, but smaller networks play a roll in information access on a daily basis. Many public libraries have replaced their card catalogs with computer terminals that allow patrons to search for books far more quickly and easily.
Airports have numerous screens displaying information regarding arriving and departing flights.
Many retail stores feature specialized computers that handle point of sale transactions. In each of these cases, networking allows many different devices in multiple locations to access a shared repository of data, which could be anything from a searchable catalog of library books to a constantly changing table of airline flights. In this edition of How Stuff Works we will take a very close look at networking, and in particular the Ethernet networking standard, so you can understand the actual mechanics of how all of these computers connect to one another. Inc. All rights reserved. Simply register for a free Postbox in the country where your merchant is located.