Introduction to LANs, WANs, and Other Kinds of Area Networks

Various Types of Computer Networks

There are numerous Computer Networking options available. Networks in computers can be classified based on their size as well as their purpose.

The geographic area and number of computers that are part of a network should be used to express the size of a network. It ranges from devices in a single room to millions of devices spread across the globe. The following are the most common types of computer networks:

Types of Computer Networks

The following are some of the most common computer network types:

• PAN (Personal Area Network)
• LAN (Local Area Network)
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
• WAN (Wide Area Network)

What is PAN (Personal Area Network)?

A PAN (Personal Area Network) is a computer network that is built around a single person. It is typically comprised of a computer, mobile device, or personal digital assistant. PAN can be used to connect these personal devices to a digital network and the internet by establishing communication between them.

Characteristics of PAN

The following are the primary characteristics of PAN:

• It is mostly personal devices networked in a small area.
• Allows you to manage the interconnection of IT devices in a single user’s environment.
• PAN includes mobile phones, tablets, and laptop computers.
• It can connect to the internet wirelessly via WPAN.
• PAN appliances include cordless mice, keyboards, and Bluetooth systems.

Advantages of PAN

The following are the key advantages  of a PAN network:

• PAN networks are relatively safe and secure.
• It only provides a short-range solution of up to ten meters.
• Restricted to a small area only

Disadvantages of PAN

The following are the disadvantages of using a PAN network:

• It may form a faulty connection to other networks using the same radio bands.
  Distance restrictions.

What is a LAN (Local Area Network)?

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a collection of computer and peripheral devices that are linked in a specific location, such as a school, laboratory, home, or office building. It is a network that is widely used for sharing resources such as files, printers, games, and other applications. The most basic type of LAN network connects computers and printers in a person’s home or office. LAN will be used as one type of transmission medium in general. It is a network of less than 5000 interconnected devices spread across several buildings.

Characteristics of LAN

The following are the key characteristics of a LAN network:

• Because it is a private network, it is never governed by an outside regulatory body.
• When compared to other WAN systems, LAN operates at a higher speed.
• Token ring and ethernet are two examples of media access control methods.

Advantages of LAN

The following are the advantages and disadvantages of LAN:

• Local area networks can be used to share computer resources such as hard disks, DVD-ROMs, and printers. This significantly reduces the cost of purchasing hardware.
• Instead of purchasing licensed software for each client in the network, you can use the same software over the network.
• Data from all network users can be stored on the server computer’s single hard disk.
• Data and messages can be easily transferred between networked computers.
• It will be easier to manage data in a single location, making data more secure.
• The Local Area Network allows all LAN users to share a single internet connection.

Disadvantages of LAN

Here are some of the disadvantages of LAN:

• Although LANs save money due to shared computer resources, the initial cost of installing them is quite high.
• Because the LAN administrator has access to every LAN user’s personal data files, it does not provide adequate privacy.
• Unauthorized users can gain access to an organization’s critical data if the LAN administrator is unable to secure the centralized data repository.
• Because of issues with software setup and hardware failures, local area networks necessitate constant LAN administration.

What is WAN (Wide Area Network)?

Another important computer network that spans a large geographical area is the WAN (Wide Area Network). A WAN network system could be a LAN connection that connects to other LANs via telephone lines and radio waves. It is mostly restricted to a business or organization.

Characteristics of WAN

WAN has the following characteristics:

• Because the software files will be shared among all users, everyone will have access to the most recent files.
• WAN can be used by any organization to create a global integrated network.

Advantages of WAN

The following are the advantages of WAN:

• The use of WAN allows you to cover a larger geographical area. As a result, business offices located at greater distances can easily communicate.
• Devices such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, computers, gaming consoles, and so on are included.
• WLAN connections are made possible by radio transmitters and receivers built into client devices.

Disadvantages of WAN

The following are the  disadvantages of a WAN network:

• The initial investment setup cost is very high.
• The WAN network is difficult to maintain. Skilled technicians and network administrators are required.
• Because of the extensive coverage and use of various technologies, there are more errors and issues.
• Because of the involvement of multiple wired and wireless technologies, problem resolution takes longer.
• Provides less security than other types of computer networks.

What is MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)?

A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a computer network that spans an entire city, college campus, or small region. This network is larger than a LAN, which is typically restricted to a single building or site. Depending on the configuration, this type of network can cover an area ranging from several miles to tens of miles.

Characteristics of MAN

The following are important MAN network characteristics:

• It primarily serves towns and cities within a 50-kilometer radius.
• Optical fibers and cables are the most commonly used medium.
• Data rates that are sufficient for distributed computing applications

Advantages of MAN

The following are the advantages of MAN networks:

• It enables fast communication by utilizing high-speed carriers such as fiber optic cables.
• It offers excellent support for a large network and increased access to WANs.
• The dual bus in a MAN network allows data to be transmitted in both directions at the same time.
• A MAN network typically includes portions of a city or an entire city.

Disadvantages of MAN

The following are some disadvantages of using the MAN network:

• More cable is required to establish a MAN connection from one location to another.
• It is difficult to secure a MAN network from hackers.

Other Types of Computer Networks

Aside from the computer networks mentioned above, 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

Let’s take a closer look at each of these network types:

1. WLAN

WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) allows you to wirelessly connect single or multiple devices within a limited area such as your home, school, or office building. It allows users to move around within a local coverage area that is connected to the network. The majority of today’s WLAN systems are based on IEEE 802.11 standards.

2) Storage-Area Network (SAN)

A Storage Area Network (SAN) is a type of network that allows for centralized, block-level data storage. It is primarily used in the manufacture of storage devices such as 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 constructed by connecting two or more computers to form a local area network (LAN) within the home. In the United States, for example, approximately 15 million households have more than one computer.

These network connections enable computer owners to connect to multiple computers. This network makes it possible to share files, programs, printers, and other peripherals.

6) Enterprise Private Network :

Businesses that want to securely connect multiple locations in order to share various computer resources build and own enterprise private network (EPN) networks.

7) Campus Area Network (CAN):

A Campus Area Network is made up of LANs that are interconnected within a specific geographical area. A university campus, for example, can be linked with a variety of campus buildings to connect all academic departments.

8) Virtual Private Network:

A VPN is a private network that connects remote sites or users via a public network. The VPN network routes “virtual” connections from the enterprise’s private network or a third-party VPN service to the remote site via the internet.

It is a free or paid service that secures and protects your web browsing over public Wi-Fi hotspots.

• You may like to read the difference between free VPN and paid VPN

Summary

• Computer network connections can be classified based on their size as well as their purpose.
• A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network that typically consists of a computer, mobile device, or personal digital assistant.
• A LAN (Local Area Network) is a collection of computer and peripheral devices that are linked in a specific geographic area.
• Another important computer network that spans a large geographical area is the WAN (Wide Area Network).
• A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a computer network that spans an entire city, college campus, or small region.
• WLAN is a wireless local area network that allows you to connect one or more devices. It communicates wirelessly within a specific area, such as a home, school, or office building.
• A storage area network (SAN) is a type of network that allows for consolidated, block-level data storage.
• In server-to-server applications, storage area networks, and processor-to-processor applications, system area networks provide high-speed connectivity.
• POLAN is a networking technology that aids in the integration of structured cabling.
• A home network (HAN) is always built by connecting two or more computers to form a local area network (LAN) within the home.
• Businesses that want to securely connect multiple locations build and own enterprise private network (EPN) networks.
• A campus area network (CAN) is a network that connects LANs in a specific geographical area.
• A VPN is a private network that connects remote sites or users via a public network.
• What exactly does LAN stand for? LAN is an abbreviation for Local Area Network.
• What is the distinction between LAN and WAN? – A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that covers a small geographic area, such as a home, office, or group of buildings, whereas a wide area network (WAN) covers a larger area.