Computer networking was developed so that information could be sent or shared between two or more computers. The most basic components of networking involves two computers connected by a wire. These computers must have hardware component in them called a network interface card (NIC) which typically controls the sending and receiving of data packets across this wire. The NIC is connected to the wire and these computers 'talk' with each other by running a common language called a network protocol.

Computer networking on a larger scale involves the connection of hundreds of computers and other network aware peripherals. These networks are usually differentiated by its geographical location and are named Local Area Networks (LAN), Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN) and Wide Area Networks (WAN). Lets focus on LAN for now. A LAN is a network in a small geographical area consisting of multiple computers and other network aware devices. An example of a most basic LAN is where 3 computers are located in the same room. In order to connect these computers on the same wire, a special device called a network switch is needed. A switch has multiple NICs in them so that the computers can connect to it. Each computer connected to the switch is identified through a special designator called a Media Access Control address (MAC). Each data packet contains a source and destination MAC address. This is used by the switch to direct data packets to the intended computer. To simplify, a switch acts like a traffic policeman directing traffic on a busy interchange. There are, however, limitations on the number of computers connecting to the same switch and also how long the piece of wire can extend for. This means that connecting computers on the same wire works fine in small area like a room but you would probably need more than one switch if you were to connect many computers on each floor of a building.

The next article will explain the next level of networking which involves layer 3 addressing, routers and the Internet.

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