TYPESOF COMPUTERNETWORKS

ER.UPENDRA SHARMA

Whatis Network?• A networkconsists of twoor more computersthat are linked in order to share resources (suchas printers andCDs), exchange files, orallowelectroniccommunications.

• Thecomputers on anetwork may be linkedthroughcables, telephonelines, radio waves,satellites, orinfrared light beams.

Different Types of Networks• Dependingupon the geographical areacovered

bya network, it is classified as:

– LocalArea Network(LAN)

– MetropolitanAreaNetwork (MAN)

– Wide AreaNetwork (WAN)

– PersonalAreaNetwork(PAN)

• A LAN is a network that is used for communicating amongcomputer devices, usually within an office building or home.

• LAN’s enable the sharing of resources such as files orhardware devices that may be needed by multiple users

•• Is limited in size, typically spanning a few hundred meters,

and no more than a mile

• Is fast, with speeds from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps

• Requires little wiring, typically a single cable connecting toeach device

• Has lower cost compared to MAN’s or WAN’s

Local Area Network (LAN)

Local Area Network (LAN)• LAN’scan be either wired orwireless. Twisted pair,coaxorfibre optic cable canbeusedinwired LAN’s.

• EveryLAN usesaprotocol –aset ofrulesthat governshowpackets areconfiguredandtransmitted.

• NodesinaLANarelinked together with acertaintopology.These topologies include:

– Bus– Ring– Star

• LANs arecapableofveryhigh transmission rates (100sMb/s toGb/s).

Local Area Network (LAN)

Advantages of LAN• Speed

• Cost

• Security

• E-mail

• ResourceSharing

Disadvantages of LAN• Expensive To Install

• Requires Administrative Time

• FileServerMay Fail

• Cables MayBreak

MetropolitanArea Network (MAN)• Ametropolitan area network (MAN) is a largecomputer network that usually spans acity or alarge campus.

• A MAN is optimized fora largergeographicalarea than a LAN, ranging from several blocks ofbuildingsto entirecities.

• AMAN might beownedand operated by asingle organization, but itusually will be usedbymany individuals and organizations.

MetropolitanArea Network (MAN)• A MAN often acts as a high speednetwork toallow sharing of regional resources.

• A MAN typically coversan area of between5and 50 km diameter.

• Examples ofMAN: Telephone companynetworkthat provides a high speedDSL tocustomers and cable TV network.

MetropolitanArea Network (MAN)

Wide Area Network (WAN)• WAN coversa largegeographicarea such ascountry,continent or evenwholeof the world.

• A WAN is two ormore LANs connectedtogether.TheLANs can be manymiles apart.

• Tocovergreat distances, WANs may transmitdata over leased high-speed phone lines orwireless links such as satellites.

Wide Area Network (WAN)• MultipleLANs can be connected togetherusing devices such as bridges, routers, orgateways, which enablethem to share data.

• Theworld's most popular WAN isthe Internet.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Personal Area Network (PAN)• A PAN is a network that is used for

communicating among computers and computerdevices (including telephones) in closeproximity of around a few meters within a room

• It can be used for communicating between thedevices themselves, or for connecting to a largernetwork such as the internet.

• PAN’s can be wired or wireless

Personal Area Network (PAN)• Apersonal area network (PAN)is a computer

networkusedfor communication amongcomputer devices,including telephonesandpersonaldigital assistants, in proximity toanindividual's body.

• Thedevices may ormay not belong totheperson inquestion. The reach of a PAN istypicallya fewmeters.

Personal Area Network (PAN)