Types of Computer Networks

A computer network is an interconnected two or more computers and devices that share their data, resources, and application. Computer networks are divided into four types based on their size and functions such as LAN, MAN, PAN, and WAN.

• LAN – Local Area Network
• MAN – Metropolitan Area Network
• PAN – Personal Area Network
• WAN – Wide Area Network

Each widely divided computer network has unique features and many applications based on the computer network that are to be used for a specific purpose.

LAN(Local Area Network)

LAN is a collection of computers that are connected to each other in limited ranges like apartment or office premises. The computers and devices are connected via coaxial cables, routers and switches, and twisted pairs.

The development cost is low and can be built with cheaply available hardware like ethernet cables, hubs, and network adapters. The security of the network is less prone to hacks and data loss. The rate of transmission of data is high with minimum response time.

PAN(Personal Area Network)

PAN or Personal Area Network is used for individual users within a range of ten meters connecting with the personal network coverage. Desktops, laptops, smartphones, electronic gadgets, music players, and game stations are mostly available equipment in a PAN.

Personal Area Networks can be divided into two types:

• Wireless Personal Area Network – Devices are connected using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Wired Personal Area Network – Devices are connected using cables such as USB.

Examples of Personal Area Networks:

1. Body Area Network: A person who is moving with a smartphone or a smartwatch. He can connect with other people to share data by linking devices.
2. Offline Network: It is also known as the home network which is deployed inside the house. It is used to connect television and printers the devices that are not accessible to the internet.
3. Small Home Office: Used to connect devices to cyberspace via a VPN (virtual private network).

MAN(Metropolitan Area Network)

Metropolitan Area Networks connect several Local Area Networks to form a large network covering huge geographical areas. LANs are connected to each other by telephone communication technology. Private firms and people are connected through websites or applications with the use of MAN by the government.

Telephone cables are used to form MAN by LANs. Frame Relay, ISDN, ATM, ADSL, and RS-232 are the protocols widely applied by MAN. Airline reservation and bank sectors in a city are deployed by MAN. For effective communications, MAN is deployed in military ranges too. It can also be deployed in colleges within the town.

WAN(Wide Area Network)

WAN enables users to connect to wireless networks via remote, public, or private access. The connection is made over a large geographical area, such as a whole city, using the current network structure of mobile operators. WAN began with an 802.20 standard, and the purpose is to optimize Mobile Broadband Wireless Access, also known as MBWA. This 802.20 standard is a strong challenger to traditional 2G and 3G versions.

The Wireless Wide Area Network successfully enabled surface-to-surface voice transmission. It is also calculated in GPS(Global Positioning System), GPRS(General Packet Radio Service), EDGE(Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution), UMTS(Universal Mobile Telecommunication System), HSUPA(High-speed Uplink Packet Access), HSDPA(High-speed Downlink Packet Access)

Examples of Computer Networks

1. A variety of wireless networks provide internet access. If the user is within range, the internet connection to the network is very fast and allows for immediate access to a mailbox, file downloads, storage, website loading, and so on. The main difference to be highlighted is coverage, with one placed in the home and the other spread up over a city. Because of this significant difference, Wireless Wide Area Network cannot apply the same technology as a Wireless Local Area Network.
2. Wi-Fi used in LAN, for instance, has a limited range and requires a large number of nodes to cover a large region. WAN uses flexible communications for larger coverage. Because WANs cover a greater area at the same time, they also employ security protocols such as  WPA and WEP security protocols are used. Even if it is advanced, it is not a definite option. However, few people use it as an unprotected network since it is liable to insecure encryption. They may, however, receive signals even while using unprotected networks.
3. When explained simply, WAN and MAN make use of telecom, but LAN and PAN do not. LAN and PAN function in a secure environment, however, WAN does not. Because of their coverage, PAN and LAN are quicker. DLNA is used to make LAN more efficient. If the user wants to set up an internet connection at home, he can pick PAN or LAN, but if he wants to be an internet service provider, he must choose WAN. Each has a distinct characteristic that may be tailored to meet the needs of the situation.
4. The effective performance of a PAN or LAN is more important than that of a WAN. Because of the small range, it only covers a few individuals and concentrates on speed and performance. However, it is unrelated to network connections, which are slower than LAN or WAN speeds. PAN or LAN can be used to move and host files from one device or system to another, as well as to run related programs.