What is Computer Networks? and Computer Network Types by Anshul 2023

What is Computer Networks? and Computer Network Types by Anshul 2023

Computer Networks

A computer network is a set of interconnected nodes or computing devices that exchange data and resources with each other. A network connection between these devices can be established using cables or wireless media. Once a connection is established, communication protocols – such as TCP/IP, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol and Hypertext Transfer Protocol – are used to exchange data between networked devices.

A computer network is a group of computers connected to each other that enables computers to communicate with other computers and share their resources, data, and applications.

Computer Network Types:

1. LAN (Local Area Network)
2. PAN (Personal Area Network)
3. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
4. WAN (Wide Area Network)
5. SAN (Storage Area Network) 
6. CAN (Campus Area Network)
7. VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Computer Network Type

As networking needs have evolved, so have the types of computer networks that serve those needs. Here are the most common and widely used computer network types:

LAN (Local Area Network)

• Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each other in a small area like building, office.
• LAN is used to connect two or more personal computers through a communication medium like twisted pair, coaxial cable etc.
• It is less expensive because it is built with inexpensive hardware such as hubs, network adapters, and Ethernet cables.
• Data is transferred at a very high speed in the local area network.
• Local Area Network provides high security.

PAN (Personal Area Network)

• Personal Area Network is a network organized within an individual person, usually within a range of 10 meters.
• Personal Area Network is used to connect computer devices of personal use which is known as Personal Area Network.
• Thomas Zimmerman was the first research scientist to come up with the idea of the Personal Area Network.
• Personal Area Network covers an area of 30 feet.
• Personal computer equipment used to develop a personal area network are laptops, mobile phones, media players, and play stations.

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

• A metropolitan area network is a network that covers a large geographic area by interconnecting separate LANs to form a larger network.
• Government agencies use MAN to connect with citizens and private industry.
• In MAN, different LANs are connected to each other through a telephone exchange line.
• The most widely used protocols in MAN are RS-232, Frame Relay, ATM, ISDN, OC-3, ADSL etc.
• Its range is greater than that of the Local Area Network (LAN).

Uses of Metropolitan Area Network:

• MAN is used in communication between banks in a city.
• This can be used in airline reservations.
• It can be used in any college in any city.
• It can also be used for communication in the military.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

• A wide area network is a network that extends over a large geographic area such as states or countries.
• A wide area network is a much larger network than a LAN.
• A wide area network is not limited to a single location, rather it extends over a large geographic area through a telephone line, fiber optic cable, or satellite link.
• Internet is one of the largest WAN in the world.
• Wide Area Networks are widely used in business, government, and education.

 

SAN (Storage Area Network): A SAN is a specialized network that provides access to block-level storage—a shared network or cloud storage that looks and acts like a storage drive to the user that is physically connected to the computer. gets connected. (See Block Storage: A Complete Guide for more information on how SANs work with block storage.) 

CAN (Campus Area Network): CAN is also known as Corporate Area Network. CAN is bigger than LAN but smaller than WAN. CAN serve sites such as colleges, universities and business campuses

 

VPN (Virtual Private Network): A VPN is a secure, point-to-point connection between two network end points (see 'Nodes', below). A VPN establishes an encrypted channel that keeps the user's identity and access credentials as well as any data transferred inaccessible to hackers.