Types of Computer Network: LAN, MAN and WAN
What is a Computer Network?
A Computer Network is a group of two or more interconnected computer systems that
use common connection protocols for sharing various resources and files. You can
establish a computer network connection using either cable or wireless media. Every
network involves hardware and software that connects computers and tools.
Different Types of Computer Networks
There are various types of Computer Networking options available. The classification of
network in computers can be done according to their size as well as their purpose.
The size of a network should be expressed by the geographic area and number of
computers, which are a part of their networks. It includes devices housed in a single
room to millions of devices spread across the world. Following are the popular types of
Computer Network:
Some of the most popular computer network types are:
PAN (Personal Area Network)
LAN (Local Area Network)
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
WAN (Wide Area Network)
What is PAN (Personal Area Network)?
PAN (Personal Area Network) is a computer network formed around a person. It
generally consists of a computer, mobile, or personal digital assistant. PAN can be used
for establishing communication among these personal devices for connecting to a digital
network and the internet.
Characteristics of PAN
Below are the main characteristics of PAN:
It is mostly personal devices network equipped within a limited area.
Allows you to handle the interconnection of IT devices at the surrounding of a
single user.
PAN includes mobile devices, tablet, and laptop.
It can be wirelessly connected to the internet called WPAN.
Appliances use for PAN: cordless mice, keyboards, and Bluetooth systems.
Advantages of PAN
Here are the important pros/benefits of PAN network:
PAN networks are relatively secure and safe
It offers only short-range solution up to ten meters
Strictly restricted to a small area
Disadvantages of PAN
Here are the cons/drawbacks of using PAN network:
It may establish a bad connection to other networks at the same radio bands.
Distance limits.
What is a LAN (Local Area Network)?
A Local Area Network (LAN) is a group of computer and peripheral devices which are
connected in a limited area such as school, laboratory, home, and office building. It is
a widely useful network for sharing resources like files, printers, games, and other
application. The simplest type of LAN network is to connect computers and a printer in
someone’s home or office. In general, LAN will be used as one type of transmission
medium. It is a network which consists of less than 5000 interconnected devices across
several buildings.
Characteristics of LAN
Here are the important characteristics of a LAN
network:
It is a private network, so an outside regulatory
body never controls it.
LAN operates at a relatively higher speed
compared to other WAN systems.
There are various kinds of media access control
methods like token ring and ethernet.
Advantages of LAN
Here are the pros/benefits of LAN:
Computer resources like hard-disks, DVD-ROM, and printers can share local
area networks. This significantly reduces the cost of hardware purchases.
You can use the same software over the network instead of purchasing the
licensed software for each client in the network.
Data of all network users can be stored on a single hard disk of the server
computer.
You can easily transfer data and messages over networked computers.
It will be easy to manage data at only one place, which makes data more secure.
Local Area Network offers the facility to share a single internet connection among
all the LAN users.
Disadvantages of LAN
Here are the cons/drawbacks of LAN:
LAN will indeed save cost because of shared computer resources, but the initial
cost of installing Local Area Networks is quite high.
The LAN admin can check personal data files of every LAN user, so it does not
offer good privacy.
Unauthorized users can access critical data of an organization in case LAN admin
is not able to secure centralized data repository.
Local Area Network requires a constant LAN administration as there are issues
related to software setup and hardware failures
What is WAN (Wide Area Network)?
WAN (Wide Area Network) is another important computer network that which is spread
across a large geographical area. WAN network system could be a connection of a LAN
which connects with other LAN’s using telephone lines and radio waves. It is mostly
limited to an enterprise or an organization.
Characteristics of WAN
The software files will be shared among all
the users; therefore, all can access to the
latest files.
Any organization can form its global
integrated network using WAN.
Advantages of WAN
Here are the benefits/pros of WAN:
WAN helps you to cover a larger geographical area. Therefore business offices
situated at longer distances can easily communicate.
Contains devices like mobile phones, laptop, tablet, computers, gaming consoles,
etc.
WLAN connections work using radio transmitters and receivers built into client
devices.
Disadvantages of WAN
Here are the drawbacks/cons of WAN network:
The initial setup cost of investment is very high.
It is difficult to maintain the WAN network. You need skilled technicians and
network administrators.
There are more errors and issues because of the wide coverage and the use of
different technologies.
It requires more time to resolve issues because of the involvement of multiple
wired and wireless technologies.
Offers lower security compared to other types of network in computer.
What is MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)?
A Metropolitan Area Network or MAN is consisting of a computer network across an
entire city, college campus, or a small region. This type of network is large than a LAN,
which is mostly limited to a single building or site. Depending upon the type of
configuration, this type of network allows you to cover an area from several miles to tens
of miles.
Characteristics of MAN
Here are important characteristics of the MAN network:
It mostly covers towns and cities in a maximum 50 km range
Mostly used medium is optical fibers,
cables
Data rates adequate for distributed
computing applications.
Advantages of MAN
Here are the pros/benefits of MAN network:
It offers fast communication using high-speed carriers, like fiber optic cables.
It provides excellent support for an extensive size network and greater access to
WANs.
The dual bus in MAN network provides support to transmit data in both
directions concurrently.
A MAN network mostly includes some areas of a city or an entire city.
Disadvantages of MAN
Here are drawbacks/cons of using the MAN network:
You need more cable to establish MAN connection from one place to another.
In MAN network it is tough to make the system secure from hackers
Other Types of Computer Networks
Apart from above mentioned computer networks, here are some other important types
of networks:
WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)
Storage Area Network
System Area Network
Home Area Network
POLAN- Passive Optical LAN
Enterprise private network
Campus Area Network
Virtual Area Network
1) WLAN
WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) helps you to link single or multiple devices using
wireless communication within a limited area like home, school, or office building. It
gives users an ability to move around within a local coverage area which may be
connected to the network. Today most modern day’s WLAN systems are based on IEEE
802.11 standards.
2) Storage-Area Network (SAN)
A Storage Area Network is a type of network which allows consolidated, block-level data
storage. It is mainly used to make storage devices, like disk arrays, optical jukeboxes,
and tape libraries.
3) System-Area Network
System Area Network is used for a local network. It offers high-speed connection in
server-to-server and processor-to-processor applications. The computers connected on
a SAN network operate as a single system at quite high speed.
4) Passive Optical Local Area Network
POLAN is a networking technology which helps you to integrate into structured cabling.
It allows you to resolve the issues of supporting Ethernet protocols and network apps.
POLAN allows you to use optical splitter which helps you to separate an optical signal
from a single-mode optical fiber. It converts this single signal into multiple signals.
5) Home Area Network (HAN):
A Home Area Network is always built using two or more interconnected computers to
form a local area network (LAN) within the home. For example, in the United States,
about 15 million homes have more than one computer.
These types of network connections help computer owners to interconnect with multiple
computers. This network allows sharing files, programs, printers, and other peripherals.
6) Enterprise Private Network:
Enterprise private network (EPN) networks are build and owned by businesses that want
to securely connect numerous locations in order to share various computer resources.
7) Campus Area Network (CAN):
A Campus Area Network is made up of an interconnection of LANs within a specific
geographical area. For example, a university campus can be linked with a variety of
campus buildings to connect all the academic departments.
8) Virtual Private Network:
A VPN is a private network which uses a public network to connect remote sites or users
together. The VPN network uses “virtual” connections routed through the internet from
the enterprise’s private network or a third-party VPN service to the remote site.
It is a free or paid service that keeps your web browsing secure and private over public
WiFi hotspots.
