A network connects computing devices like computers, printers, and routers that can communicate with each other. There are several types of networks including local area networks (LANs) that connect devices within a building, metropolitan area networks (MANs) that connect LANs across a city, and wide area networks (WANs) that connect LANs over a larger geographic area. Networks use devices like switches, routers, and bridges to direct data between connected devices and allow communication. Routers in particular send data packets between different networks by maintaining routing tables that contain addressing information.
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