Why and how did networking start?

Applications written for business helped create the PC industry. Early computers were standalone devices. In other words, each computer operated on its own, independently from other computers. It soon became apparent that this was not an efficient or cost effective way for businesses to operate. A solution was needed that would successfully address three problems: duplication of equipment and resources, inability to communicate efficiently, and the lack of network management.

One early solution to these problems was the creation of local area networks, or LANs.

Because they connected workstations, peripherals, terminals, and other devices in a single building, LANs made it possible for businesses using computer technology to efficiently share such things as files and printers.

As the use of computers by businesses grew, however, it soon became apparent that even LANs were not sufficient. In a LAN system, each department or business was an electronic island.

What was needed was a way to move information efficiently and quickly from one business to another. The solution was the creation of metropolitan area networks, or MANs, and wide area networks, or WANs. Because WANs connected networks that served users across a large geographic area, they made it possible for businesses to communicate with each other even though they were geographically distant from each other.

Local-area network (LAN) - High-speed, low-error data network covering a relatively small geographic area. LANs connect workstations, peripherals, terminals, and other devices in a single building or other geographically limited area. LAN standards specify cabling and signaling at the physical and data link layers of the OSI model. Ethernet, FDDI, and Token Ring are widely used LAN technologies. Compare with MAN and WAN.

Metropolitan-area network (MAN) - Network that spans a metropolitan area. Generally, a MAN spans a larger geographic area than a LAN, but a smaller geographic area than a WAN. Compare with LAN and WAN.

Wide-area network (WAN) - Data communications network that serves users across a broad geographic area and often uses transmission devices provided by common carriers. Frame Relay, SMDS, and X.25 are examples of WANs. Compare with LAN and MAN.