classificationofnetwork

TYPES	LOCAL AREA NETWORK(LAN)	METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK(MAN)	WIDE AREA NETWORK(WAN)
DEFINE	Network that connects computers and devices in a limited geographical area.	High speed network that connects local area network(LAN)in metropolitan area.	Network that covers a large geographical area.
AREA OF COVERAGE	Within the same building such as home,school computer laboratory,office building.	Connect various location such as campuses,offices and government that links between buildings.	Countryside and Worldwide network such as city.country or the world.
DISTANCE	Distance less than a mile.	Distance up to 100 miles.	Distance greater than 100 miles.
OWNERSHIP	Owned and operated by individual organizations.	Owned by a group of users who jointly own and operate network.	Have no ownership.
NETWORK SIZE	Limited geographical area.	Metropolitan area.	Large geographical area.
ADVANTAGE	-Hardware and software can be shared. -All the users work can be stored in central place.	-Everyone share same access to the Internet through high speed network. -Able to connect people in different locations regardless distance.	-Scale of sharing becomes far greater/worldwide. -Software,devices and resources can be shared by all computers on network.
DISADVANTAGES	-Printing can be slow,long print queue may develop. -A virus spread more easily.	-Residents need to possess their own hardware or software to connect to MAN. -Full attention need to given to avoid spam,hackers and security risks.	-Security become more important as potential hackers could break into computer system. -Encryption of secure data such as financial transactions.
TYPE	-Personal Area Network (PAN) -Home Area Network (HAN)	-Campus Area Network (CAN)	-Enterprise Private Network (EPN) -Virtual Private Network (VPN)
SPEED	Faster than MAN and WAN	Slower than LAN and faster than WAN	Slower than MAN and LAN
EXAMPLE	Sharing printer in a building.	Traffic light system in a city.	Internet