A/D converter
Well, it depends on the kind of network you are talking about, it actually depends on the distance between the 2 devices you want to network, if is short distance, (lets say 2 m) the you can directly use the available digital signal (I am assuming it take values of 0 and 5V connected by a copper cable). On the other hand if you have higher distances, you need to modulate the signals in same whay so that the digital signals can reach the objective. then you make the signals analog and you need an ADC to convert this signal back to digital at the receiver.
Cheers
Sal