Definition

A computer network is a system that allows people or devices to communicate and exchange information with each other. It can be as simple as a telephone conversation between two people, or as complex as a global network connecting millions of devices.

Examples:

• A telephone network, which allows people to make calls to one another by connecting their phones to a network of cables, switches, and servers.
• The internet, a global network that connects millions of computers, servers, and other devices. This network enables people to communicate with one another as well as access information and resources.

Analogies:

1. A city's transportation system. Just as roads, buses, and trains connect different parts of a city, networks connect different devices and allow them to communicate and share resources.
2. A human body. Just as different organs and systems work together to keep the body functioning, different devices and protocols work together in a network to keep data flowing smoothly.
3. A spider web. Just as a spider web is made up of many interconnected threads, a network is made up of many interconnected devices and connections.
4. A postal system, where the data packets are being sent and delivered to the correct destination like letters and packages are delivered to the correct address via a postal system.
5. A telephone exchange, where different devices connect to each other through a central hub, allowing them to communicate and share information.