Classification Of Network
Networks usually are classified as a:-
~Local Area Network (LAN)
~Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
~Wide Area Network (WAN)
The main differentiation among these classification is their area of coverage
(distinguish by the geografical area each network serves).
~Local Area Network (LAN)
~Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
~Wide Area Network (WAN)
The main differentiation among these classification is their area of coverage
(distinguish by the geografical area each network serves).
Local Area Network (LAN)
Definitions:-
- A network that connects computers and devices in a limited geografical area.
Local Area Network (LAN)
- A network that connects computers and devices in a limited geografical area.
Local Area Network (LAN)
| Type Of LAN | Definition |
| Personal Area Network (PAN) | A type of wireless network that works within a very small area-your immediate surroundings. |
| Home Area Network (HAN) | A type of network for homes allowing different computers to share resources, including a common internet connection. |
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Definition:-
- A high-speed network that connect local area network (LANs) in a metropolitan area.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
- A high-speed network that connect local area network (LANs) in a metropolitan area.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
| Type Of Network | Definition |
| Campus area Network (CAN) | A type of area network interconnecting a few local area networks (LANs) within a university campus or corporate campus. |
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Definition:-
- A network that covers a large geographical area.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
- A network that covers a large geographical area.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
| Type Of Network | Definitions |
| Enterprise Private Network (EPN) | A
type of network built by an enterprise to interconnect various company
sites, such as production sites, head offices, remotes offices, shops,
in order to share computer resources. |
| Virtual Private Network (VPN) | A
type of private network built over public infrasstructure. By using a
number of security mechanisms, including encryption, a VPN allows users
to securely access a network from different locations using a public
telecommunications network, most frequently the internet. |
Main Characteristics of LAN,MAN & WAN
| Type Of Network | LAN | MAN | WAN |
| Areas Of Coverage | LANs located within the same building such as home, school computer laboratory, offfice building. | MANs connect various locations such as campuses, offices and government, that are frequently used as links between buildings. | WANs located within a countryside and worldwide networks such as a city country or the world. |
| Ownership | LANs are owned and operated by individual organizations. | MANs are owned by a group of users who jointly own and operate the network. | WANs have no ownership. |
| Distanse | LANs span (cover) distance less than a mile | MANs span (cover) distance up tp 100 miles (161 km). | WANs span (cover) distance greater than 100 miles. |
Advantages and disadvantages of LAN, MAN & WAN
| Type Of Area Network | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| LAN | - Hardware and software can be shared - All the users work can be stored in a central place. | - Printing can be slow, long print queues may develop. - Virus can spread more easily |
| MAN | -Can enhance data transfer efficiency because it connect many LANs together and incerase area coverage. | - When the network connect many computer over many network the connection can become quiet. |
| WAN | -These are similar to those of LANs excepts the scale of sharing etc becomes for greater and can be world-wide. | - Encryption of secure data such as financial transections is necessary because it is even easier to capture data. |