- Computer Network – Introduction, Data Communication, Needs of Computer Networks, Advantages & Disadvantages of Network, Network Terminology, Node, Workstation, Server, Types of Server, Dedicated and Non-Dedicated Server, NIC, MAC Address, and IP Address
- Types of network: LAN, MAN, WAN, PAN, LAN vs WAN
- Networking Devices: Modem, Hub, Repeater, Switch, Bridge, Gateway
- Network Topology: Point to Point, Bus, Star, Ring, Mesh, Hybrid
Types of Network
Network / Computer Networks: The collection of interconnected computers is called a computer network.
On the basis of geographical distance, there can be four types of networks.
- Local Area Network (LAN)
- Wired LAN
- Wireless LAN
- Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
- Wide Area Network (WAN)
- Personal Area Network (PAN)
- Wired PAN
- Wireless PAN
LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN)
- A local area network (LAN) is a network that connects computers and devices in a limited geographical area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, office building, or closely positioned group of buildings. Each computer or device on the network is a node.
- It is generally a privately owned network over a distance up to 1 to 3 km.
- Local Area Network (LAN) users can share data, information, programs, printers, hard disks, modems, etc.
- Generally in LAN, one computer is work as the file server. It stores the software that controls the network.
- On LAN’s, cables are used to connect the NIC in the computer.
WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN)
- The network spread across countries or on a vary big geographical area (such as a city, country, or spans even intercontinental distances ) are known as WANs.
- A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a group of computers that are separated by large distances and tied together.
- A WAN often uses transmission facilities provided by common carriers, such as telephone companies.
- WAN technologies generally function at the lower three layers of the OSI reference model: the physical layer, the data link layer, and the network layer
- WAN facilitates a fast and efficient exchange of information at lesser costs and higher speeds.
- INTERNET is the largest WAN.
METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK (WAN)
- MAN refers to a network that is spread over an area as big as a city.
- Multiple networks that are connected within the same city to form a citywide network for a specific government or industry
- Any network bigger than a LAN but smaller than a wide area network (WAN).
PERSONAL AREA NETWORK (PAN)
- A Personal Area (PAN) is a computer network used for communication among computers and different information technological devices close to one person.
- Devices that are used in a PAN are personal computers, printers, fax machines, telephones, PDAs, scanners, and even video game consoles.
- A PAN may include wired and wireless connections between devices.
- The reach of a PAN typically extends to 10 meters
Local Area Network vs. Wide Area Network
(LAN vs. WAN)
- LAN is spread over a small area, while WAN is spread over a large area.
- The cost of LAN is lower than WAN.
- LAN is a single network while WAN is usually a network of many networks.
