Meaning of Network
   • A network may be defined as interconnection of various 
    computer system located at different places. The computers in 
    the network are linked with a medium (may be wire or 
    wireless) and data communication devices for communicating 
    data and sharing resources. 
   • It is a collection of computer hardware, software and other 
    computer resources that are connected together for accurate 
    and timely delivery of information and to facilitate sharing of 
    valuable computing resources. 
   • It is also called information network as it facilitates exchange 
    of data and information among the users connected to the 
    network. 
                                           A computer network may be as 
                                             large that may be formed by 
                                            interconnecting thousands of 
      Network can be small as of two        computers together with the 
        computers connected with a         help of networking devices that 
                single cable               may be located in different parts 
                                                     of the world
   Objectives of Networking 
   • 1. Sharing files & drives: The networks in a computer can make 
    its resources available to other computers in the network by 
    sharing them over network.
   • 2. Sharing expensive peripherals: In an organisation, there are 
    expensive computer peripherals like laser printer, graph plotters, 
    etc. and if they are linked to the computer network, every user 
    can use them from his/her remote location. 
   • 3. Communication: A user can broadcast a message to all users 
    on the network. 
   • 4. Sharing internet connection: A high speed internet connection 
    will support faster browsing by every user. 
   • 5. Sharing expensive software: Enables sharing expensive 
    computer software like engineering design, statistical 
    computation packages etc. 
   • 6. High reliability: Copies of some files can be replicated on 
    two or more machines which can be used in case of hardware 
    failure. 
   • 7. Cost saving: The smaller computers have better price to 
    performance ratio as compared to mainframes. If computer 
    networks of small computers are not used then there would 
    be a need to use mainframe the speed of which is 10 times 
    faster than smaller computer but the cost is 100 times higher. 
    Therefore, networks save cost to the organization. 
   Applications of Networking 
   • 1. Financial Services: With the help of computer networks, 
    banks & other financial institutions are able to provide better 
    financial services to their customers. Branches and ATMs are 
    connected together with the help of computer networks. The 
    services provided also include foreign exchange, investment 
    services, net banking, etc. 
   • 2. Marketing & Sales: Companies collect, exchange and 
    analyze data related to customers. It facilitates teleshopping, 
    online stores and online booking services like ticket booking, 
    hotel booking, movie tickets, etc. 
   • 3. Data exchange: Computer networks allow electronic data 
    exchange, among the users.