What is computer network ?

A computer network is a set of computers sharing resources located on or provided by network nodes. The computers use common communication protocols over digital interconnections to communicate with each other.

What are the 5 components of computer network?

A network has 5 basic components viz. clients, servers, channels, interface devices and operating systems. A brief intro:

1. Servers: Servers or Host computers are are powerful computers that store data or applications and connect to resources that are shared by the users of a network.
2. Clients: Client is the computer used by the users of the network to access the servers and shared resources (such as hard disks and printers). So, a personal computer is a client.
3. Channels: The technical name of channels is network circuit. It is the pathway over which information travels between the different computers (clients and servers) that comprise the network.
4. Interface devices: The devices that connect clients and servers (and sometimes other networks) to the channel are called interface devices. The common examples are modems and network interface cards.
5. Operating systems: This is the Network Software. It serves purpose that the operating system serves in a stand-alone computer.