What is a computer network and what are Clients, Servers, and Networking Protocols?

What is a computer network?

The Miriam-Webster dictionary definition of a network is “a fabric or structure of cords that cross at regular intervals and are knotted or secured at the crossings”. When we talk about a computer network the cords are a series of wires designed to support the connection of multiple computers. Taken at its simplest a network is simply two or more computers that are connected. The cord or medium for connection can be cables (for example an Ethernet network), radio signals (for example Wi-Fi) or light channels (for example optic fibre).

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What is a client and what is a server?

Most computes are simultaneously a client and server. This is because the defining characteristic of a client or server is not the hardware, or the software but how the software and hardware are used in relation to other computers. Generally when people incorrectly think of servers as machines dedicated to the provision of services to other computer. By definition a server is simply a computer that has resources available to another computer(s). A client is any computer that requests resources from another computer. 

What is a networking protocol?

In order for a client and a server to communicate they must share a common networking protocol. A protocol is simply a series of communication rules. With computer networking a protocol is no different it is just that the rules to govern the communication between two computers.