A network can be defined as a group of computer systems and computer hardware devices that are interlinked via channels of communication that enable sharing of resources among multiple users and facilitate communication. A network allows sharing of operating programs on remote systems and sharing a single hardware device such as a printer among several users.
Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transferred computer from internet service to a computer which is usually measured in seconds. The speed of internet activity like the rate of downloading files directly depends on the amount bandwidth strength. For instance, 10 Mbps means that your device can receive ten megabits of data per second. Therefore, a higher bandwidth implies the network has a higher capacity to share data (Kurose and Ross 123).
A Network Interface Card (NIC) is part of computer hardware that connects the network to a computer. NICs can be used for connections of both wireless and wired. Local Area Network (LAN) is a specific network interface card that is designed to connect personal computers. Computers that are connected through a network share information by use of a particular language that transmits data packets across the devices. Thus, the NIC is responsible for interpreting the language to allow sending and receiving the data on a local area network.
Three types of media are used to connect networks, which include coaxial cables, twisted-pair cables, and fiber optics. Coaxial cable has a solid-core copper wire that goes through the cable which resembles a television signal cable. The cable has a braided wire which covers a layer of insulation, which embodies the solid-core. It also has a metal foil which is used to prevent electromagnetic interference. Twisted-pair cables have two wires which form a circuit that transmits data among several devices. The wires are twisted to avoid a magnetic field that can interfere with the signals. Fiber optic cable carries signals of digital data in the light pulses form. The optical fiber comprises of the core, which is a thin glass cylinder which enables cladding. The cable consists of single mode fiber to transmit data over long distances and multiple mode fiber for data transmission over short distances (Networking 47).
I have not experienced any problem in using network given my locality is well connected. In my workplace, I use fiber optic cables because it is designed to transmit both limited transmission capacity and voice transmission. Fiber optic has various advantages as shall be discussed. First, fiber optic has faster speed. The core embedded in the fiber optic cord which is in the form of a light pulse which transfers data. The fiber cords cannot be affected by signal degradation, and hence high speed. Secondly, fiber optic cables can transmit signals to a farther distance relative to the usual copper cables which are restricted. Thirdly, is resistant to temperature changes, and thus, it is not interfered by the magnetic fields. Therefore, fiber optic is the reliable media for network connection.
As an electronic engineer, networking will help me to gain more useful skills that will open more significant opportunities in the workforce. In an ever-changing world of technology, the knowledge of networking is beneficial in daily transactions like paying utility bills. Networking will equip me with sufficient skills that will enable me to solve networking problems, and therefore, I will be of great value to the company where I work.
Works Cited
Kurose, James F, and Keith W. Ross. Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach. Pearson Education, 2017.
Networking. 2016.
