Networks

A network is a set of devices (often referred to as nodes)connected by communication links.A nodes can be a computer,printer,or any other devices capable of sending and/or receiving data generated by other nodes on the network.

Types of connections

A network is two or more devices connected together through links.A link is a communication pathways that transfers data from one device to another.There are two possible type of connections: point-to-point and multipoint.

Point-to-Point: A point-to-point connection providesa dedicated link between two devices.The entire capacity of the link is reserved for transmission between those two devices.Most point to point connections use an actual length of wire or cable to connect the two ends but other options, such as Microwave or Satellite links,are also possible.When you change television channels by infrared remote control,you are establishing a point-to-point connection between the remote control and the televisions control system

Multipoint:

A multipoint connection is one in which more than two specific devices share a single link .In a multipoint environment ,the capacity of the channel is shared,either spatially or temporally.if several devices can use the link simultaneously ,it is a spatially shared connection .if users must take turns,it is a timeshare connection.