Networks

Today, most people are probably familiar with and a user of the following two different types of networks:

1. Telephony
   * Traditional, wired, telephony, like as your home phone, office phone
    Even if these are also becoming increasingly based on IP networking (Voice over IP, VoIP)
 * Wireless, cellular, telephony - your mobile phone
  - Independently of if calling from a mobile or fixed phone, you can call anyone else in the world on the telecom network by simply dialing a phone number.
2. (IP-based) Data communications
  All sorts of data communication networks based on Internet Protocol (IP), like Internet and Intranets including in your home, in the office, at airports, in coffe shops, et c... (Think Wi-Fi). You address the resource to communicate with using an IP address or hostname.

These are the two-way networks we use daily. Other common networks include Radio and Television.

So, what is really a 'network'?

Google 'definition of network'

net·work
ˈnetˌwərk/
noun
noun: network; plural noun: networks
1.
an arrangement of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines.
synonyms: weblatticenetmatrixmeshcrisscrossgridreticulumreticulation
"a network of arteries"
  • a complex system of roads, railroads, or other transportation routes.
    "a network of railroads"
    synonyms: mazelabyrinthwarrentangle
    "a network of lanes"
2.
a group or system of interconnected people or things.
"a trade network"
synonyms: systemcomplexnexuswebwebwork
"a network of friends"
  • a group of people who exchange information, contacts, and experience for professional or social purposes.
    "a support network"
  • a group of broadcasting stations that connect for the simultaneous broadcast of a program.
    "the introduction of a second TV network"
  • a number of interconnected computers, machines, or operations.
    "specialized computers that manage multiple outside connections to a network"
  • a system of connected electrical conductors.

 

Graphic from wikipedia's Timeline o f communication_technology (R:2016-08-05)

Networks

 

 

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