What is a computer network?
A computer network is a group of connected devices that can communicate and share resources.
A home network may connect phones, laptops, printers and smart devices through a router. Larger networks can connect thousands or millions of devices.
LAN and WAN
LAN
Local Area Network. Covers a limited area such as a home, school or office.
WAN
Wide Area Network. Connects networks across larger geographic areas. The internet is the largest example.
What does a router do?
A router forwards network traffic between different networks. In a home, it commonly connects the local network to the internet and may also provide Wi-Fi.
What is an IP address?
An IP address identifies a network interface for communication on an IP network. IPv4 addresses look like 192.168.1.10, while IPv6 uses a much larger address space.
Internet vs Wi-Fi
They are not the same. Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology. The internet is a global system of interconnected networks and services. You can have Wi-Fi without internet access, for example when devices are connected only to a local network.