Network Connectivity

What Does Network Connectivity Mean?

Network connectivity describes the extensive process of connecting various parts of a network to one another, for example, through the use of routers, switches and gateways, and how that process works.

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Techopedia Explains Network Connectivity

Network connectivity is also a kind of metric to discuss how well parts of the network connect to one another. Related terms include network topology, which refers to the structure and makeup of the network as a whole.

There are many different network topologies including hub, linear, tree and star designs, each of which is set up in its own way to facilitate connectivity between computers or devices. Each has its own pros and cons in terms of network connectivity.

IT professionals, particularly network administrators and network analysts, talk about connectivity as one piece of the network puzzle as they look at an ever greater variety of networks and the ways networking pieces go together.

Ad hoc networks and vehicular networks are just two examples of new kinds of networks that work on different connectivity models. Along with network connectivity, network administrators and maintenance workers also have to focus on security as a major concern, where the reliability of networking systems is closely related to protecting the data that is kept within them.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…