datanetwork

Data network is a system that interconnects computing devices to exchange data. A data network comprises physical links, networking hardware, software, and the protocols that govern data exchange. It enables applications such as email, web access, file sharing, and real-time collaboration by moving data packets between hosts across local, regional, or global distances.

Key components include nodes (hosts, servers, routers, switches), transmission media (fiber, copper, wireless), and network software (operating systems, routing and switching protocols). Core functions include addressing, routing, collision and error management, flow control, and security. Protocol stacks commonly used are TCP/IP and the OSI reference model.

Networks are categorized by scale and topology: LANs, WANs, MANs, and data center networks; wireless variants include WLANs and cellular networks. Modern practices include software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) to separate control from data planes and enable flexible service deployment.

Standards and organizations: IETF, IEEE 802, and ITU-T. Key technologies include Ethernet, Wi-Fi, IP, TCP, UDP, and routing protocols such as BGP and OSPF. Performance metrics include bandwidth, latency, jitter, packet loss, and availability; reliability is supported by redundancy and fault tolerance. Security considerations cover encryption, authentication, access control, threat detection, and perimeter defense.

The term datanetwork is sometimes used as a synonym for data network and may appear in product or brand names; in technical literature, data network is the more common form.