Computer Networks

Types of Computer Networks

There are mainly four types of Computer Networks:

• Personal Area Network (PAN)
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN)

Personal Area Network (PAN)

PAN is the most basic type of computer network. This network is restrained to a single person, that is, communication between the computer devices is centered only on an individual’s workspace. PAN offers a network range of 1 to 100 meters from person to device providing communication. Its transmission with very easy maintenance and very low cost.

Examples of PAN are USB, computer, phone, tablet, printer, PDA, etc uses: Bluetooth, IrDA, etc.

Local Area Network (LAN)

LAN is the most frequently used network. A LAN is a computer network that connects computers through a common communication path, contained within a limited area, that is, locally. A LAN encompasses two or more computers connected over a server. The two important technologies involved in this network are Ethernet and Wi-fi (WLAN). It ranges up to 2km & transmission speed is very high with easy maintenance and low cost.

Examples of LAN are networking in a home, school, library, laboratory, college, office, etc.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A MAN is larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN. This is the type of computer network that connects computers over a geographical distance through a shared communication path over a city, town, or metropolitan area. This network mainly uses FDDI, CDDI, and ATM as the technology with a range from 5km to 50km. Its transmission speed is average. It is difficult to maintain and it comes with a high cost.

Examples of MAN are networking in towns, cities, a single large city, a large area within multiple buildings, etc.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

WAN is a type of computer network that connects computers over a large geographical distance through a shared communication path. It is not restrained to a single location but extends over many locations. WAN can also be defined as a group of local area networks that communicate with each other with a range above 50km.

Here we use Leased-Line & Dial-up technology. Its transmission speed is very low and it comes with very high maintenance and very high cost.

The most common example of WAN is the Internet.

Other Computer Networks:

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

WLAN is a type of computer network that acts as a local area network but makes use of wireless network technology like Wi-Fi. This network doesn’t allow devices to communicate over physical cables like in LAN but allows devices to communicate wirelessly.

The most common example of WLAN is Wi-Fi.

Storage Area Network (SAN)

SAN is a type of computer network that is high-speed and connects groups of storage devices to several servers. This network does not depend on LAN or WAN. Instead, a SAN moves the storage resources from the network to its high-powered network. A SAN provides access to block-level data storage.

Examples of SAN are a network of disks accessed by a network of servers.

System Area Network (SAN)

A SAN is a type of computer network that connects a cluster of high-performance computers. It is a connection-oriented and high-bandwidth network. A SAN is a type of LAN that handles high amounts of information in large requests. This network is useful for processing applications that require high network performance.

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 uses SAN through a virtual interface adapter.

Enterprise Private Network (EPN)

EPN is a type of computer network mostly used by businesses that want a secure connection over various locations to share computer resources.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN is a type of computer network that extends a private network across the internet and lets the user send and receive data as if they were connected to a private network even though they are not. Through a virtual point-to-point connection users can access a private network remotely. VPN protects you from malicious sources by operating as a medium that gives you a protected network connection.