Introduction to Types of Computer Network
Two or more computers connected that allows sharing their data, resources, and application is called a computer network. The vital computer network is divided into four types based on their size and functions. They are LAN, MAN, PAN, and WAN. Here LAN stands for Local Area Network, MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network, Personal Area Network is abbreviated into PAN whereas WAN is expanded as 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 has unique features that are to be applied accordingly for effective purpose.
Types of Computer Network
A computer network can be categorized by their size. A computer network is mainly of four types:
- LAN(Local Area Network)
- PAN(Personal Area Network)
- MAN(Metropolitan Area Network)
- WAN(Wide Area Network)
These four types are explained below:
1. LAN(Local Area Network)
LAN is expanded as Local Area Network where the pool of computers are linked to each other in limited ranges like apartment and office premise. This computer network connects the pool of computers via a communication device like coaxial cable, routers and switches and twisted pairs.
It is available at low cost and built with cheaply available hardware such as ethernet cables, network adapters, and hubs. Here the transfer rate of data is high with minimal response time. This is a highly safe network less prone to hacks and data loss.
2. PAN(Personal Area Network)
PAN is expanded as Personal Area Network is configured in a person in range of approximately ten meters and is mostly employed for connecting internet range for personal usage. It has the coverage range to thirty meters. Personal equipment includes desktop, laptop, smartphones, game stations, electronic gadgets, and music players.
There are two types of Personal Area Network:
- Wireless Personal Area Network
- Wired Personal Area Network
Wireless Personal Area Network: Wireless Personal Area Network is configured is based on wireless technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi which falls over a limited range network.
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Wired Personal Area Network: Wired Personal Area Network is deployed by using USB.
Examples Of Personal Area Network
1. Body Area Network: Body Area Network moves along with a person like a smartphone or a watch that moves with a person. He can also connect with other people to interlink the device for sharing the data.
2. Offline Network: The offline network can be deployed inside the house which is also called a home network. It is planned to connect with television, printers which are not accessible to the internet.
3. Small Home Office: Small Home office is used to link the devices to cyberspace via a VPN that is a virtual private network.
3. MAN(Metropolitan Area Network)
Metropolitan Area Network is called MAN which covers huge geographical areas by connecting to various local area networks united to form a large network. The government uses MAN to link private firms and people via websites or applications. In the Metropolitan Area network, different LANs are interconnected via telephone communication technology.
Here mostly telephone cables are used to connect LAN to form MAN. The protocols applied widely in MAN are Frame Relay, ISDN, ATM, ADSL, and RS-232. MAN is deployed mostly in Airline reservation and establish communication between banking sectors in a city. It is also deployed in the Military range for effective communications. It can also be deployed inside the collages within that town.
4. WAN(Wide Area Network)
Wireless Area Network provides services for the user to connect to wireless using remote or public or private access. The connection is established in a huge geographic range like a complete city that uses the current network structure of mobile operators. The WAN started with a standard of 802.20 and is the goal is to achieve optimization of Mobile Broadband Wireless Access which is called MBWA. This 802.20 standard stands as a tough competitor for classical models of 2.5 and 3G.
The WWAN successfully made the possibility of superficial voice transfer. It is also measured in GPS is Global positioning system, General Packet Radio Service is called as GPRS is, EDGE is abbreviated from Enhanced Data rates for global evolution, Universal mobile telecommunication system is known as UMTS, HSUPA is a high-speed uplink packet and HSPDA is a high-speed downlink packet access.
Example of Computer Network
- Different wireless networks offer an internet connection. If the user is within the range, the internet connection to the network is very fast and gives quick access to a mailbox, file downloads, storage, loading of websites and so on. The typical difference to be stressed is coverage whereas one is set up in the home and other is established over a town. Because of this major difference, Wireless Wide Area Network cannot operate on the same technology as Wireless Local Area Network does.
- LAN such as Wi-Fi has limited ranges and requires many nodes to cover a wide area. WAN adopts telecommunication which is adaptable for wider coverage. Since WAN covers a wider range simultaneously it implements security protocols also. The security protocols employed are WPA and WEP. Even though it’s advanced it is not a guaranteed option. But still few people use it as unsecured networks as they are prone to vulnerable encryption. But they can receive signals even though they use unsecured networks
- In simple, WAN and MAN use telecom while LAN and PAN don’t use it for its operation. LAN and PAN are worked in a secure condition where WAN is not that secure. PAN and LAN are faster than because of its coverage. LAN has DLNA for its effective usage. If the user wants to set up an internet connection in his home he can prefer PAN or LAN and if he wants to be the businessman for internet service provider then he must choose WAN. Each has its unique feature and adaptable according to its requirements
- The Effective performance of PAN or LAN has an import over WAN. Because of the limited range, it covers a few people and focuses on operating speed with high performance. But it is not related to network connection which has limited than LAN or WAN speeds. PAN or LAN is adaptable for moving and hosting files from one device or system to another and related applications.
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