What is a Computer Network?
A Computer Network is a group of two or more interconnected computer systems that use standard connection protocols for sharing various resources and files. You can establish a network connection by using wired or wireless media. Each network is comprised of equipment and programs that link computers as well as tools.
Computer network types :
- PAN (Personal Area Network)
- LAN (Local Area Network)
- MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
- WAN (Wide Area Network)
PAN (Personal Area Network)
PAN (Personal Area Network) is a computer network centered around an individual. It usually includes a laptop, mobile, or computer and a personal digital assistant. PAN establishes communication between these personal devices and connects to a digital network and the Internet.
Specific characteristics of PAN
Below are the critical features of PAN:
- It’s usually personal devices that are networked within the boundaries of a particular area.
- This program allows you to handle your interconnectivity of IT devices within the vicinity of one user.
- PAN comprises tablets, mobile phones, and laptops.
- It is linked wirelessly to the Internet, a process known as WPAN.
- Equipment used for PAN: wireless keyboards, mice, and Bluetooth systems.
LAN (Local Area Network)
A Local Area Network (LAN) is a collection of computers and other peripheral devices that can be connected in a small space like a lab, school, home, and office building. It’s a beneficial network for sharing resources such as games, printers, files, and other software. The most straightforward LAN network can connect printers and computers in a home or office. In general, LAN can be utilized as a transmission medium. It is a network that comprises more than 5000 connected devices in various buildings.
The characteristics of LAN
Here are the essential features of a Network over LAN:
- It’s an encrypted network, which means that any outside body that regulates it never has control over it.
- LAN runs at a more incredible speed than others WAN systems.
- There are many media access control techniques like token rings and the ethernet.
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
The term “many area networks” refers to a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is computers that are connected to the entire city, college campus, or small geographical area. This network is more extensive than one, usually limited to one particular structure or site. Based on the configuration, this network can extend from a few miles to hundreds of miles.
Specific characteristics of the MAN
Here are the essential features that make up this network: MAN network:
- It is primarily a cover for cities and towns in 50km or more
- Most commonly, the medium used is optical fibers or cables
- Rates of data are adequate in distributed computing.
WAN (Wide Area Network)
The WAN (Wide Area Network) is an additional important computer network that covers a vast geographic area. A WAN network can be a link between a LAN, which is connected to other LANs by using radio waves and telephone lines. It is usually restricted to an organization or an organization.
Specific characteristics of the WAN
Here are the main characteristics of the WAN characteristics:
- The software’s files will be shared with all users. This means that all users will have access to the latest data.
- Every organization can create its global integrated network with WAN.