A network is a collection of hardware and software arranged to communicate voice, images or data from one location to another.
Networks allow users to share local resources, such as printers or databases.
Networks can be joined to other networks. Traditionally, computer data networks were made up of client machines requesting a service, and a server responding to the request. As machines become more powerful, clients can do processing too. Today Unified or Integrated networks may encompass Public Switched Telephone Networks, private computer networks, the Internet, cable and broadcast media, and wireless systems. Click on any piece of equipment or wire below to learn more about it.