Computer Network Types (Fully Explained)
Typically, networks are categorized by their geographical reach. A network can range from the short distance between your mobile phone and its Bluetooth headphones to the vast expanse of the internet, which encompasses the entire globe,
Personal Area Network
A Personal Area Network (PAN) is the smallest type of network, designed for individual use. This can include devices that utilize Bluetooth or infrared technology. The connectivity range of a PAN extends up to 10 meters. Devices in a PAN may consist of wireless computer keyboards and mice, Bluetooth headphones, wireless printers, and TV remotes.
For instance, a Piconet is a Bluetooth-enabled Personal Area Network that can connect up to 8 devices in a master-slave configuration.
Local Area Network
A Local Area Network (LAN) refers to a computer network that operates within a single building and is managed under one administrative system. Typically, LANs are found in organizational offices, schools, colleges, or universities. The number of systems connected in a LAN can range from as few as two to as many as 16 million.
LANs offer an efficient means of sharing resources among end users. Resources such as printers, file servers, scanners, and internet access can be easily shared among computers.
LANs consist of cost-effective networking and routing equipment. They may include local servers that provide file storage and other applications shared within the local area. LANs primarily operate on private IP addresses and do not require extensive routing. They function within their own local domain and are centrally managed.
LANs utilize either Ethernet or Token-ring technology. Ethernet is the most commonly used LAN technology and employs Star topology, while Token-ring is less frequently encountered.
LANs can be wired, wireless, or a combination of both.
Metropolitan Area Network
The Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) typically spans an entire city, similar to a cable TV network. It can utilize various forms such as Ethernet, Token-ring, ATM, or Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI).
Metro Ethernet is a service offered by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). This service allows users to extend their Local Area Networks. For instance, a MAN can assist an organization in linking all its offices within a city.
The backbone of a MAN consists of high-capacity, high-speed fiber optics. It operates between Local Area Networks and Wide Area Networks, providing uplink capabilities for LANs to connect to WANs or the internet.
Wide Area Network
As implied by its name, the Wide Area Network (WAN) encompasses a vast area that can stretch across provinces or even an entire country. Typically, telecommunication networks fall under the category of Wide Area Networks. These networks facilitate connectivity to MANs and LANs. Due to their high-speed backbone, WANs require expensive networking equipment.
WANs may employ advanced technologies like Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Relay, and Synchronous Optical Network (SONET). They can be managed by multiple administrative entities.
Internetwork
A collection of interconnected networks is referred to as an internetwork, or simply the internet. It represents the largest network available on the planet. The internet significantly links all WANs and can also connect to LANs and home networks. It operates using the TCP/IP protocol suite, with IP serving as its addressing protocol. Currently, the internet predominantly uses IPv4, but due to a shortage of address spaces, it is gradually transitioning to IPv6.
The internet allows users to share and access vast amounts of information globally. It supports various services such as the World Wide Web (WWW), FTP, email, and audio and video streaming. On a large scale, the internet functions on a Client-Server model.
The internet relies on a high-speed fiber optic backbone. To connect different continents, fiber optic cables are laid beneath the sea, known as submarine communication cables.
The Internet is extensively utilized for World Wide Web services through HTML-linked pages and can be accessed via client software referred to as Web Browsers. When a user seeks a page using any web browser connected to a Web Server located anywhere globally, the Web Server delivers the appropriate HTML page. The communication delay is minimal.
The Internet caters to numerous purposes and plays a role in various facets of life. Some of these include:
- Websites
- Instant Messaging
- Blogging
- Social Media
- Marketing
- Networking
- Resource Sharing
- Audio and Video Streaming
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