Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A computer network is a collection of interconnected devices, such as computers and servers, that are linked together to share resources and communicate with each other.
Related terms
Routers: Routers are networking devices that direct data packets between different networks. They act like traffic controllers in the city analogy, ensuring that data reaches its intended destination efficiently.
Switches: Switches are networking devices that connect multiple devices within a local area network (LAN). They can be compared to intersections in the city analogy, where different roads meet and allow traffic flow between them.
Firewalls are security devices that monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic. They work like security checkpoints at the entrances of the city, inspecting data packets for potential threats before allowing them into the network.