informationnetwork

An information network is a system of interconnected nodes that exchange information to enable communication, coordination, or decision-making across geographic or organizational boundaries. Information networks can be physical infrastructures, such as telecommunications links and data cabling, or logical constructs within software and information systems.

Core components include nodes (devices, servers, individuals), links (cables, wireless channels), data formats and protocols, and management processes such as routing, addressing, and security. Metadata, storage, and middleware support data interchange and interoperability. The networks may be static or dynamic and are often designed to tolerate failures through redundancy.

Types encompass computer networks (local area networks, wide area networks, the Internet), social networks, sensor networks, intranets and extranets, and knowledge or information networks used by organizations to connect people and information.

Architectures can be centralized, distributed, or hierarchical, influencing performance, resilience, and control. Information networks raise concerns about privacy, security, and governance, including access control, data integrity, and compliance with laws. Applications span communication, commerce, science, public safety, and governance. The concept has evolved with digital technologies and is foundational to modern information society.