Network, a group of computers and associated devices that are connected by communication facilities. 

Network is an inter connected collection of autonomous computers. 

When two or more computers are joined together so that they are capable of exchanging information , they form a network

Resource sharing - Through a network , data , s/w and h/w resources can be shared irrespective of the physical location of the resources and the user.

 • Reliability – A file can have its copies on two or more computers of the network. 

• Reduced Cost – Sharing resources reduces the cost

 • Fast Communication – Information can be exchanged at a very fast speed

 Workstation or Nodes It refers to a computer that are attached to a network 

 Server The master computer is called Server. It facilitates the sharing of data, software (s/w) and hardware (h/w) . 

Servers can be of two types ---

 i) Dedicated Servers • Master-Slave Network. (Clients are dependent on the server) • On bigger network, there is a computer reserved for server’s job and its only job is to help workstations access data, software and hardware resources. It does not require to double-up as a workstation /server. • Data is backed up in the main server. • Main server controls the security of the network.

 ii) Non- Dedicated Servers • Peer to Peer Network (Clients are not dependent on a central server) • Workstation can double up as a Server. One computer works as a workstation as well as server. • Each computer has to be backed up. Data can easily be deleted by the users.