About Connecting Two Computers Together

Today we live in a world that is connected more than ever before. Communication between people has been fundamentally transformed with the introduction of computers in our daily life. Gone are the times when computers use to sit alone in a dark corner of a room, having no connection to the outside world. Today, computers are tied up, or connected to each other to enable multiple types of scenarios that were not possible before.

Identification

Two or more computers, when connected together, form a network. A network of PC's and related devices can be formed in many ways, and using each way has its pros and cons depending upon the size of network.

Considerations

Making any kind of computer network requires some fundamental aspects to be taken care of. The considerations include the nature of connection. This can be a physical connection, like wires, or can be a wireless connection working over radio, infrared or microwaves. Communication protocol is another consideration. A protocol serves as the language using which computers on both side of a network "talk" to each other. Many communication protocols came into existence but the one which came into widespread use was the TCP/IP communication protocol suit. It is the same protocol that powers the Internet.

Effects

File and resource sharing, e-mails, messaging and social networking are some of the amazing applications of today's connected world that had been made possible by networking of PCs around the globe.

Size

Some networks span a small area like a room or a business. The term LAN is used for small networks that span across a room or possibly rooms. It is the smallest type of network possible with two or more PCs connected together. The methods used to connect this kind of network include wired and wireless Ethernet standard. Every PC in this type of network uses a device called the Ethernet card or LAN card which can be either wired or Wireless (called 802.11 cards). Cables used in wired LANs are called twisted pair cables with a RJ-11 connector at both ends. Wireless networks can be formed using direct computer to computer connections or by using a centrally located device called Access Point to which all other computers connect.

Geography

Some networks span across geographical locations. Technically called Wide Area Networks or WANs, These are usually formed when two or more LAN's are connected together. The idea behind creating WANs is to share data beyond the limits of a geographical region and these networks can span across cities or maybe countries. WANs use some extra set of devices like routers, switches and hubs to manage large no of connected computers. Wireless networks other than satellite-linked networks are not possible over such long distance.

Warning

Computers can be connected to each other for sharing information and resources as well as giving way to more advance uses of computers like communication and research which was not previously possible. Although great advances have been made and continue to be made, security is a something to take into consideration when connecting two computers together. Sharing information is done across the network, and protecting this information is important.