Chapter 6 Data Communication Computers communicate with one another through three types of network: Local Area Network

rk (LAN) connects computers that reside in a single location (same building) Wide Area Network (WAN) connects computers that reside in different locations Internet connects networks (LAN, WAN) with one another In order for computers and other electronic devices (printer, fax) to communicate with one another, they have to use the same protocol, or a set of rules that allow them to communicate with one another over the network. The two popular protocols we often use today for the LAN network are Ethernet (IEEE 802.3 protocol) and Wireless (IEEE 802.11 protocol) connection. A computer can only connect to a wireless connection when it has wireless NIC (WNIC) installed that facilitates the device to connect to an access point. When we connect our computers to the Internet, we are connecting using the WAN network either through the use of DSL modems, cable modems, wireless satellite connection, networks of leased line or public switched data network. We usually encrypt or transforming our information into codes when transmitting those information across the internet. We set up firewalls or multiple layers of firewalls to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing our network,