What Are Access Networks?

Let's study how end systems access the Internet.

Access Networks

Access networks, also known as the last mile, consist of the media through which end systems connect to the Internet. In other words, access networks are networks that physically connect end systems to the first router (also known as the “edge routeredgerouters”) on a path which connects them to some other end systems.

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Access networks
Access networks

Network Interface Adapter

The network interface adapter enables a computer to attach to a network. Since there are so many different types of networks, network adapters are used so that the user can install one to suit the network to which they want to attach.

Network interfaces also usually have an address associated with them. One machine may have multiple such interfaces.

These interfaces are essentially the physical gateways that connect devices to the Internet.

Most machines then have external ports which network cables can be plugged into. The type of access network depends on the ...