networked

Networked is a term used to describe devices, systems, or organizations that are connected through communication networks to share resources, exchange information, and coordinate activity. In technology, networked components can operate across locations and possess interoperability, resilience, and scalability enabled by common protocols and standards.

Common networked architectures include client-server, where clients request services from centralized servers; peer-to-peer, where nodes act as both clients and servers; and mesh networks, in which routing is distributed and devices relay traffic for others. Networks may be local (LAN), wide-area (WAN), or global (the Internet), and rely on protocols such as TCP/IP, DNS, and HTTP.

Networked environments power contemporary computing and daily life: cloud services, collaborative tools, remote work, and the Internet of Things that connects sensors, actuators, and software. They also underpin social networks, digital media, and the broader networked economy, shaping how information is produced, shared, and consumed.

Historically, networked computing grew from early packet-switching networks and the adoption of TCP/IP in the 1980s, culminating in the public Internet. The idea of a networked society has been explored in sociology and science and technology studies, emphasizing pervasive connectivity and its social implications.

Security, privacy, and interoperability are ongoing concerns in networked systems. Standards and governance aim to ensure reliable access across devices while addressing risks, and efforts to close the digital divide seek to expand equitable participation in a networked world.