Types of Computer Networks

 If you have a basic knowledge of computing, you've probably heard of LAN or WAN. Both are network types and each type is different in terms of area, connection, and so on.

In addition to the two above, there are several other networks and a brief description below.

Types of Computer Networks

1. PAN (Personal Area Network)

1. The Private Area Network is used for communications close to the users involved.
2. Communication between computers, tablets, and smartphones. Examples of shipping are picture music files and more.
3. Connected
1. Wireless - Bluetooth, infrared, NFC
2. Wire - USB cable

2. LAN (Local Area Network)

• Local Area Networks are a group of devices such as computers, printers and servers that are connected to the same building as an office or home.
•  There are basically two types of LAN connections;

3. ARCnet

• The earliest and most popular connection of the 1980s.
• Can connect up to 255 nodes in a network
• ARCnet Plus has up to 20Mbps support.

4. Ethernet

• It was first introduced in 1980.
• The latest version supports 1Gbps

5. WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)

Local Area Wireless Network connects wirelessly to devices within the LAN. For convenience, when connected to a cable, it is a LAN, and without a cable it is a WLAN.

6. CAN (Campus Area Network)

·         The Campus Area Network is 2 or more LANs connected to a limited area.

·         An example would be your university area that has several LAN-equipped buildings and is connected to each other to become CAN.

·         The Metropolitan Area Network is wider than CAN but is still limited.

·         Includes several buildings within a city.

7. SAN (Storage Area Network)

• Storage Area Network is a high-speed network that stores and provides access to large amounts of data.
• It is a network used for data storage involving devices such as switches and servers.

8. WAN (Wide Area Network)

• The area is more inclusive regardless of the geographical location of the world.
•  It contains various LAN, CAN and MAN
• The easiest example is the Internet.