In this article we are looking about networks and its types. In these days it is impossible to imagine a world without e mail, online newspapers, bogs, chat and other services offered through the internet.
What is a computer network?
A computer network is a group of computers and other computing hardware device connected to each other electronically through a communication medium. They can communicate with each other, exchange commands, share data, hardware and other resources. Computers on a network may linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites or infrared light beams.
Types of network
The computer network may span any amount of geographical area. It can be on a table, in a room, in a bulging, in a city, in a country, across continents or around he world. The computer network is classified on the basics of area covered.
- PAN-Personal Area Network
- LAN-Local Area Network
- MAN-Metropolitan Area Network
- WAN-Wide Area Network
Personal Area Network(PAN)-PAN is a network of communicating device(computer,mobile,tablet,printers etc.)in the proximity of an individual.PAN can cover an area of radius with few meters.
PAN can be set up using guided media(USB) or unguided media(bluetooth, infrared).
Local Area Network(LAN)-LAN is a network of computing and communicating device in a room, building, or campus. It can cover an area of radius with a few meters to a few kilometers. A networked office building, school or home usually contains a single LAN, through sometimes one building can contain a few small LANs.
LAN can be set up using wired media(UTP cable,etc.)or wirless media(Infrared, radio wave, etc.)
Metropolitan Area Network(MAN)-MAN is a network of computing and communicating device within a city. It can cover an area of few kilometers radius. MAN is usually formed by interconnecting a number of LANs and individual computers.
MAN is set up using all types of communication media(guided and unguided).
Wide Area Network(WAN)- WAN is a network of computing and communicating devices crossing the limits of a city, country or continent. It can cover an area of over hundred of kilometers in radius. The example of a WAN is the internet.Internet is considered as the largest WAN in the world.
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