Suggest an editImprove this articleRefine the answer for “What is a computer network?”. Your changes go to moderation before they’re published.Approval requiredContentWhat you’re changing🇺🇸EN🇺🇦UAPreviewTitle (EN)Short answer (EN)**A computer network** is a collection of devices (computers, servers, phones, network equipment) connected by data transmission channels that let these devices exchange information and share resources. **Key point:** the network's operation is built on protocols (primarily the TCP/IP stack), addressing, and routing.Shown above the full answer for quick recall.Answer (EN)Image**A computer network** is a collection of devices (computers, servers, phones, network equipment) connected by data transmission channels that let these devices **exchange information and share resources**. If you want a phrasing that sounds ideal in an interview: > **A computer network is a system of nodes and communication channels that enables data transfer between devices using a set of network protocols.** --- ## Key elements of a computer network #### 1. Nodes These are devices that participate in the network: - computers - servers - routers, switches - printers - phones, IoT devices A node can be a source, a destination, or an intermediate device. #### 2. Communication channels What data is transmitted over: - cable (twisted pair, coaxial, fiber) - Wi-Fi / radio / mobile communication - VPN tunnels #### 3. Protocols A set of rules for transmitting data. The main stack is **TCP/IP**. Protocols define: - how packets are formed - where they go - what to do on errors - how a connection is established --- ## What a computer network lets you do 1. **Exchange data** - sending packets, messages, files, requests. 2. **Share resources**: - printers - disk storage - internet connection - computing power 3. **Organize communication**: - VoIP, video calls - online games - streaming 4. **Provide centralized management**: - domain policies (Active Directory) - device monitoring - centralized updates --- ## Main types of computer networks #### LAN (Local Area Network) - local network Scope: office, apartment, building. High speed, low latency. #### WAN (Wide Area Network) - global network Connects cities, countries. The internet is the largest WAN. #### MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) - city scale Example: a provider's network between districts of a city. #### WLAN - wireless local network For example, Wi-Fi. #### PAN - personal network Bluetooth headphones, a smartphone, a smartwatch. --- ## Why a computer network is needed Without a network, devices could not: - access the internet - interact with each other - work within a corporate infrastructure - exchange information in real time Modern services (mail, cloud, messengers, games, video conferencing) exist only thanks to networks. --- ## How to explain this in an interview: an example of a correct answer > "A computer network is a set of devices connected by communication channels and using protocols to transmit data. > It lets nodes exchange information and share resources. > Networks can be local, global, or personal, and their work is built on the TCP/IP stack and routing." Short, precise, no filler. --- ## Cheat sheet (5 seconds before the interview) - A computer network is a system of devices + communication channels + protocols. - The goal is data exchange and shared use of resources. - Main types: LAN, WAN, MAN, WLAN, PAN. - The basis of operation is protocols (TCP/IP), addressing, and routing.For the reviewerNote to the moderator (optional)Visible only to the moderator. Helps review go faster.