Types of Network

Network in computer system

Based upon geographical area, networks can be divided into three broad categories:

• LAN
• MAN
• WAN

LAN (Local Area Network): LAN is a type of network in which computers (nodes) are connected in a local unit or small geographical area, such as offices, department of a manufacturing unit, etc. The common connecting media used in LAN are cables, wi-fi etc. LANs are restricted in size and are convenient to handle.

Characteristics of LAN:

• In LAN, data communication takes place at a rate of 100-1000 mbps.
• It is owned by an individual or an organization.
• It provides the user with an access to share several common hardware resources viz. computers, terminals, printers, server etc.
• There is no specific tariff for its usages.

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): Man is a type of network in which the computers are connected over large geographical area such as a city. It may be a single network or may be a network that connects several LANs. MAN may be operated by a single organization or by several organizations in the same city e.g. telephone lines, networking of various government departments, etc. The communication media used in MAN can be wired (i.e. Guided media: ethernet cable) or wireless (i.e. Unguided media: microwave circuits, satellite, radio transmission etc.)

                                                

Characteristics of MAN:

• It covers larger area than LAN but smaller geographical area than WAN.
• It is surrounded within a single city or metropolitan area.
• It is mainly owned by large organizations to interconnect all its branches across city.

WAN (Wide Area Network): WAN is a type of network in which computers are connected over a large geographical area such as cities, states, countries or even the whole world. Its purpose is to establish connection to share information among computers from one place to other globally.

The common example of WAN is 'Internet'. The communication medium used in WAN is mainly unguided i.e. satellites.

                    

Characteristic of WAN:

• The speed of data transfer is upto 150 mbps.
• It connects large geographical area at less cost.
• WAN between two or more network are connected through 'Gateway' that establishes connectivity between the protocol used in one network with other network.

PAN (Personal Area Network): PAN is a computer network that is functional around an individual or is limited within a range of 10 meters. It is an interconnection of several peripherals or devices such as laptop, smart-phone, printer etc. 

Such Personal Area Network cam be wired or wireless. Bluetooth, Infrared are common examples of PAN. Bluetooth's PAN are also known as Piconets.

CAN (Controller Area Network): Controller Area Network is an ISO certified method of communication between various electronic devices used for lighting control, air conditioning, airbags, central locking embedded in a vehicle etc.

                                                

Also read this article:

• Internet
• WI-FI
• Bluetooth
• Internet History