Computer networks facilitate sharing and central management of resources, applications and information across a variety of devices, in a safe and scalable manner. They are a vital part of modern life and offer advantages such as better collaboration and communication, reduced costs, enhanced security, and improved accessibility to data and resources.

Links and nodes are two major elements of a network. Nodes are network devices like printers, computers and file servers that communicate with each other via an established set of rules known as communication protocols. Links connect these network nodes via wired or optical connections. A laptop that connects to a local network using Wi-Fi is a node as well as is a link. The routers and switches function as traffic cops who direct data packets in the most efficient way to get them to their destination.

A wide-area network (WAN) utilizes bridges and gateways to connect several local area networks. A WAN unlike a local network (LAN) is connected to global communication networks www.boardroomco.net/is-teamviewer-safe-for-business and the Internet. For example, students in Florida can connect to peers in Tokyo at their workstations due to a WAN as well as a bridge that connects them.

Computer networks aid in streamlining work processes and create a collaborative and engaging workplace. Employees can save their documents to a server which is regularly backed up instead of emailing documents back-and-forth and resulting in losing documents. They can also access standard versions of employee and customer manuals through the network. This ensures accuracy and consistency.