Network Types

-

One way to categorize the different types of computer network designs is by their scope or scale. For historical reasons, the networking industry refers to nearly every type of design as some kind of area network. Common types of area networks are:
  • CAN - Campus Area Network, Controller Area Network, or sometimes Cluster Area Network
  • PAN - Personal Area Network
LAN and WAN are the two primary and best-known categories of area networks, while the others have emerged with technology advances
Note that network types differ from network topologies (such as bus, ring and star). (See also - Introduction to Network Topologies.)

LAN: Local Area Network

A LAN connects network devices over a relatively short distance. A networked office building, school, or home usually contains a single LAN, though sometimes one building will contain a few small LANs (perhaps one per room), and occasionally a LAN will span a group of nearby buildings. In TCP/IP networking, a LAN is often but not always implemented as a single IP subnet.
In addition to operating in a limited space, LANs are also typically owned, controlled, and managed by a single person or organization.
They also tend to use certain connectivity technologies, primarily Ethernet and Token Ring.

WAN: Wide Area Network

As the term implies, a WAN spans a large physical distance. The Internet is the largest WAN, spanning the Earth.
A WAN is a geographically-dispersed collection of LANs. A network device called a router connects LANs to a WAN.
In IP networking, the router maintains both a LAN address and a WAN address.
A WAN differs from a LAN in several important ways. Most WANs (like the Internet) are not owned by any one organization but rather exist under collective or distributed ownership and management. WANs tend to use technology like ATM, Frame Relay and X.25 for connectivity over the longer distances.

LAN, WAN and Home Networking

Residences typically employ one LAN and connect to the Internet WAN via an Internet Service Provider (ISP) using a broadband modem. The ISP provides a WAN IP address to the modem, and all of the computers on the home network use LAN (so-called private) IP addresses. All computers on the home LAN can communicate directly with each other but must go through a central network gateway, typically a broadband router, to reach the ISP.

Other Types of Area Networks

While LAN and WAN are by far the most popular network types mentioned, you may also commonly see references to these others:
  • Wireless Local Area Network - A LAN based on Wi-Fi wireless network technology
  • Metropolitan Area Network - A network spanning a physical area larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN, such as a city. A MAN is typically owned and operated by a single entity such as a government body or large corporation.
  • Campus Area Network - A network spanning multiple LANs but smaller than a MAN, such as on a university or local business campus.
  • Storage Area Network - Connects servers to data storage devices through a technology like Fibre Channel.
  • System Area Network (also known as Cluster Area Network) - Links high-performance computers with high-speed connections in a cluster configuration.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Network Topology

-
Image
Types of Network Topology Network Topology is the schematic description of a network arrangement, connecting various nodes(sender and receiver) through lines of connection. BUS Topology Bus topology is a network type in which every computer and network device is connected to single cable. When it has exactly two endpoints, then it is called  Linear Bus topology . Features of Bus Topology It transmits data only in one direction. Every device is connected to a single cable Advantages of Bus Topology It is cost effective. Cable required is least compared to other network topology. Used in small networks. It is easy to understand. Easy to expand joining two cables together. Disadvantages of Bus Topology Cables fails then whole network fails. If network traffic is heavy or nodes are more the performance of the network decreases. Cable has a limited length. It is slower than the ring topology. RING Topology It is called ring topology because it form
Read more

Grey Hat Hackers

-
Image
Grey Hat Hackers As in life, there are grey areas that are neither black nor white. Grey hat hackers are a blend of both black hat and white hat activities. Often, grey hat hackers will look for  vulnerabilities  in a system without the owner’s permission or knowledge. If issues are found, they will report them to the owner, sometimes requesting a small fee to fix the issue. If the owner does not respond or comply, then sometimes the hackers will post the newly found exploit online for the world to see. These types of hackers are not inherently malicious with their intentions; they’re just looking to get something out of their discoveries for themselves. Usually, grey hat hackers will not exploit the found vulnerabilities. However, this type of hacking is still considered illegal because the hacker did not receive permission from the owner prior to attempting to attack the system. Although the word hacker tends to evoke negative connotations when referred to, it is important
Read more

What is a Network?

-
Image
What is a Network? A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams. Two very common types of networks include: Local Area Network (LAN) Wide Area Network (WAN) You may also see references to a Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), a Wireless LAN (WLAN), or a Wireless WAN (WWAN). Local Area Network A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that is confined to a relatively small area. It is generally limited to a geographic area such as a writing lab, school, or building. Computers connected to a network are broadly categorized as servers or workstations. Servers are generally not used by humans directly, but rather run continuously to provide "services" to the other computers (and their human users) on the network. Services
Read more