Networks usually are classified as a:
Local Area Network (LAN).
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).
Wide Area Network (WAN).
The main
differentiation among these classifications is their area of coverage
(distinguish by the geographical area each network serves).
Local Area Network (LAN)
Local Area Network (LAN)
.A local area network (LAN) is a network that connects computers and devices in a limited geographical area.
Main characteristics of LAN:
Areas of coverage: LANs located within the same building (closely positioned group of buildings) such as a home, school computer laboratory, office building.
Distance: LANs span (cover) distance less than a mile.
Ownership: LANs are owned and operated by individual organizations.
Advantages:
Hardware and software can be shared.
All the users work can be stored in a central place.
Data can be shared because database files stored in the server are available to users around the network.
Disadvantages:
Printing can be slow, long print queues may develop.
A virus can spread more easily.
As data is shared there is a greater need for security.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a high-speed network that connects local area networks (LANs) in a metropolitan area.
Main characteristics of MAN:
Areas of coverage: MANs connect various locations such as campuses, offices, and government, that are frequently used as links between buildings.
Distance: MANs span (cover) distance up to 100 miles (161 km).
Main characteristics of LAN:
Areas of coverage: LANs located within the same building (closely positioned group of buildings) such as a home, school computer laboratory, office building.
Distance: LANs span (cover) distance less than a mile.
Ownership: LANs are owned and operated by individual organizations.
Advantages:
Hardware and software can be shared.
All the users work can be stored in a central place.
Data can be shared because database files stored in the server are available to users around the network.
Disadvantages:
Printing can be slow, long print queues may develop.
A virus can spread more easily.
As data is shared there is a greater need for security.
A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a high-speed network that connects local area networks (LANs) in a metropolitan area.
Main characteristics of MAN:
Areas of coverage: MANs connect various locations such as campuses, offices, and government, that are frequently used as links between buildings.
Distance: MANs span (cover) distance up to 100 miles (161 km).
Ownership: MANs are owned by a group of users who jointly own and operate the network.
Wide Area Network (WAN).
Wide Area Network (WAN).
A
wide
area network (WAN) is a network that covers a large geographical area.
Main characteristics of WAN:
Areas of coverage: WANs
located within
a countryside and worldwide networks,
(such as a city, country, or the world) using a communications channel that
combines many types of media such as telephone lines, cables and radio waves.
The Internet
is the world’s largest WAN.
Distance: WANs span (cover) distance greater than 100 miles.
Ownership: WANs have no ownership.