A computer network is a group of computers linked to each other. It enables the computer to communicate with another computer. It share its resources, data, and applications.
The main computer network types are divided into four types based on their functions. The networks are LAN, MAN, PAN, and WAN. LAN stands for Local Area Network, MAN is Metropolitan Area Network, Personal Area Network is abbreviated into PAN whereas WAN is a Wide Area Network. PAN is further divided into Wired Personal Area Network and Wireless Personal Area Network. There are many applications based on the computer network and each of the broadly divided networks accordingly wide effective purpose.
Table of Contents
Computer network types are of four types:
Local Area Network (LAN)
Personal Area Network (PAN)
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Local Area Network (LAN)
Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each other in a small area such as a building, office. LAN is used for connecting two or more personal computers through a communication medium such as twisted pair, coaxial cable, etc. It is less costly as it is built with inexpensive hardware such as hubs, network adapters, and Ethernet cables. The data is transferred at an extremely faster rate in the Local Area Network. Local Area Network provides higher security.
Personal Area Network (PAN)
Personal Area Network is a network arranged within an individual person, typically within a range of 10 meters. Personal Area Network is used for connecting the computer devices of personal use is known as Personal Area Network. Thomas Zimmerman was the first research scientist to bring the idea of the Personal Area Network. Personal Area Network covers an area of 30 feet. Personal computer devices that are used to develop the personal area network are the laptop, mobile phones, media players,s and play stations.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
A metropolitan area network is a network that covers a larger geographic area by interconnecting a different LAN to form a larger network. Government agencies use MAN to connect to the citizens and private industries. In MAN, various LANs are connected to each other through a telephone exchange line. The most widely used protocols in MAN are RS-232, Frame Relay, ATM, ISDN, OC-3, ADSL, etc. It has a higher range than Local Area Network(LAN).
Uses Of MAN:
- MAN is used in communication between the banks in a city.
- It can be used in an Airline Reservation.
- It can be used in a college within a city.
- It can also be used for communication in the military.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large geographical area such as states or countries. A Wide Area Network is quite a bigger network than a LAN. A Wide Area Network is not limited to a single location, but it spans over a large geographical area through a telephone line, fiber optic cable, or satellite links. The internet is one of the biggest WANs in the world. A Wide Area Network is widely used in the field of Business, government, and education.
Examples Of WAN:
- Mobile Broadband: A 4G network is widely used across a region or country.
- Last-mile: A telecom company is used to provide internet services to customers in hundreds of cities by connecting their homes with fiber.
- Private network: A bank provides a private network that connects the 50 offices. This network is made by using the telephone leased line provided by the telecom company.
Advantages Of WAN:
- Geographical area: A Wide Area Network provides a large geographical area. Suppose if the branch of our office is in a different city then we can connect with them through WAN. The internet provides a leased line through which we can connect with another branch.
- Centralized data: In the case of the WAN network, data is centralized. Therefore, we do not need to buy emails, files, or backup servers.
- Get updated files: Software companies work on the live server. Therefore, the programmers get the updated files within seconds.
- Exchange messages: In a WAN network, messages are transmitted fast. Web application like Facebook, Whats-app, Skype allows you to communicate with friends.
Disadvantages of WAN:
- Security issue: A WAN network has more security issues as compared to LAN and MAN network as all the technologies are combined together that creates the security problem.
- Needs Firewall & antivirus software: The data is transferred on the internet which can be changed or hacked by hackers, so the firewall needs to be used. Some people can inject the virus into our system so antivirus is needed to protect from such a virus.
- High Setup cost: An installation cost of the WAN network is high as it involves the purchasing of routers, switches.
- Troubleshooting problems: It covers a large area so fixing the problem is difficult.
