Effective networking isn't a result of luck - it requires hard work and persistence. Personal relationships are always the key to good business. One of the most powerful networking practices is to provide immediate value to a new connection. Learning networking basics is only a gateway to career ... A network connects computers, mobile phones, peripherals, and even IoT devices. Switches, routers, and wireless access points are the essential networking basics. Through them, devices connected to your network can communicate with one another and with other networks, like the Internet.