WHAT IS NETWORK SUPPORT?

What is a Computer Network?

We can think of a computer network as an electronic orchestra consisting of all the ‘things’ that our organization uses to share, store, and process information, provide services, and perform work. The “members” of that orchestra include a variety of very different things. The word “network” immediately brings to mind the usual cast of suspects - servers, storage devices, switches, firewalls, routers, printers, and desktop computers. We might also think of things like smart phones, desktop phones, and tablets. Today’s network, however, includes many other things that we might not think of – fax machines, postage machines, robotic manufacturing machines, heating and air conditioning systems, lighting systems, security systems, and even things like entertainment systems, refrigerators, toasters, and coffeemakers! In a network, all of these devices are connected to each other and talk to each other to perform the work we ask them to do and to make our tasks – and our lives, easier.