This document provides an overview of computer networks, including their components, benefits, disadvantages, classifications, server types, signal parameters, transmission impairments, data rates, and communication types and modes. Key points include: A computer network connects two or more devices to share resources; the five basic network components are transmitters, receivers, channels, messages, and protocols; networks can be classified by geographical area or component roles; servers include file, printer, application, and database servers; signals can be classified in various ways; transmission can be impaired by the channel; data rate depends on bandwidth, signal levels, and noise; and communication can occur synchronously, asynchronously, or via simplex, half-duplex, or full-d