Apple Power Macintosh 4400 - Manual (Page 79)

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Any group of computers and other devices connected in order to
communicate with each other constitutes a network. Some networks connect
all their computers by a particular type of cable. Such networks are called a
local area network (LAN). LANs can be as simple as two computers
connected together or as complex as a business’s in-house computer network.
Sometimes groups of networks connect to form a larger network, such as the
Internet. This is called a wide area network (WAN). This chapter discusses
several types of LANs to which you can connect your computer.
Connecting to a network expands the features of your computer by giving
you access to the services and resources provided on the network. For
example, your computer by itself lets you store, retrieve, and modify
information on floppy disks, hard disks, and CD-ROM discs. When your
computer is connected to a network, however, you can also store and retrieve
information on the hard disks and CD-ROM discs of other computers, use
electronic mail, and share computing resources such as printers, modems,
and network services.
You can get much of the specific information about the network you want to
connect to from the network administrator—the person who oversees the
network’s operation. Before you begin connecting to a network, contact its
network administrator.
7
Connecting Your Computer to a Network
Read this chapter for information
about connecting to other computers
in a local area network.