---
title: Building a Network
units: [The Internet]
summary: The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks.
weight: 150
---

{{% param summary %}}

## Today's Objectives
- Explain how computing devices can be connected to form a network.
- Identify the path(s) connecting two devices in a simulated network.

## Lesson Overview
### What is a computing device?
{{% define "Computing Device" %}}

### What is a computing system?
{{% define "Computing System" %}}

### What is a computing network?
{{% define "Computing Network" %}}

_A computing network is a type of computing system._

### What is a path?
{{% define "Path" %}}

### What is bandwidth?
{{% define "Bandwidth" %}}

## Assignment
{{% instructions-unit-journal-update %}}

### Human Network
Get in a group of 5-7.

You are going to build a computer network that will let you communicate with multiple people.

Two people can only speak to each other if they are pointing at each other. You can point at multiple people.

As you complete the following challenges, record the network you created. Each person must be represented by a circle labeled with their name, and two people pointing at each other must be represented by a line connecting the two circles.

#### Challenge #1
Create a network where everyone in your group can speak directly to everyone else.

#### Challenge #2
Connections cost money; create a network that uses the least number of connections where everyone in your group can speak to everyone else, directly or indirectly.

#### Challenge #3
Connections still cost money, and now they can be cut, which might disconnect people from the network; create a network that keeps everyone connected even if one of the connections are cut.

#### Challenge #4
Connections still cost money and can still be cut, but now consider that direct connections are faster than long paths with indirect connections; create a network that you feel balances all of these guidelines.

{{% unit-journal-define-terms "Computing Device" "Computing System" "Computing Network" "Path" "Bandwidth" %}}
{{% instructions-code-org-update %}}