There are many advantages of having computer networks. You can share your hardware and software resources over a computer network. For example, you can share the printer that is connected to your computer with other colleagues at your office. You can also run a software application from a remote server using the network features, without having it installed in your computer. You can send and receive e-mails, do instant chatting and even connect your workplace internal PBX system into your computer network. From a network administrator's point of view, a network enables managing all the organization's computers from a central location. This includes installing software, maintenance tasks, security allocation, monitoring and so on.

Except for the PC requirements, there are some other necessities to form an operational computer network.

Network interface

This is the device where you plug-in your network cable. This may be the network card fixed into the back of your PC, or it can be the internal modem in terms of Internet connectivity. Of course, it can also be your wireless network adapter with a USB interface, enabling you to access a wireless communications network.

Communication media

Media includes the cables used to transport informative content from one location to another, electronically. There are several different types such as Twisted-pair, Co-axial and optical fiber. Infrared waves, Radio waves and Microwaves fall under wireless media category.

Special communication devices

Special communication devices are necessary in certain computer networks in the purpose of increasing reliability, error correction, signal restoration, automated switching and in various other requirements. These include Hubs, Switches, Gateways, Routers and Firewalls. You may require very few of them for your computer network.

Communication software

Software plays a major role in computer related communication networks. You need to have diverse types of software such as server operating systems for servers and some advanced software to control those special communication devices such as routers. Usually, workstation PCs only need some basic client software utilities such as browsers and e-mail clients.

Networking protocols are another basic requirement to enable network communication. Protocols are communication standards maintained by international governing bodies to sustain the reliable communication between different communication equipment and environments. Mostly, you need not worry about these protocols yourself, because they are built-in to the networking software you are using. However, if you want to know how to configure networks, you have to learn the essentials of protocol standards. TCP/IP protocol suite is a good starting point, because it is the most widely accepted and established communication protocol at present, especially concerning the Internet. You have to be aware that TCP/IP alone would not make the communication possible, but may require some other above and below level software and hardware constrains.

Summary

Network planning, design and implementation is an enormous subject, just like software systems development. In learning networking principals, it is essential to analyze different networking technologies, standards and their purpose in the current business world.