A computer network is a collection of computers connected by a common communication path. Its main function is to allow computers to share resources that are either provided or present on the network nodes.
Some of the uses of computer networks are the following:
- Allowing network users to easily access and maintain information
- Communicating using email, video, instant messaging and more..
- Sharing files
- Sharing software and operating programs on remote systems
- Sharing devices such as printers, scanners and more.
Types Of Computer Networks
- Local Area Network (LAN)
- Wide Area Network (WAN)
- Personal Area Network (PAN)
- Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
- Storage Area Network (SAN)
- Campus Area Network (CAN)
- Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- System-Area Network (SAN)
- Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)
- Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
- Enterprise Private Network (EPN)
- Home Area Network (HAN)
These are explained below.
Local Area Network (LAN)
This kind of network is quite popular and widely used. A local area network or LAN does exactly what its name implies: it links a collection of computers or other devices together. Depending on how close together the buildings are, this kind of network can be used to connect devices throughout a single building or even two or three. Your office location very certainly uses a LAN connection, whether it is wired or wireless. This leads us to the following class of networks.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Similar to LANs, you may be familiar with the term “WAN.” WANs connect more devices while carrying out the same function as LANs over a wider area. A WAN can remotely connect devices even when they are hundreds of miles apart. In actuality, the Internet, which links computers and other devices globally, is the most fundamental example of a WAN. This type of network is typically maintained by multiple administrators due to its size and ownership is divided among several organisations.
Personal Area Network (PAN)
This is the simplest and smallest network you will come across. It is intended to cover a small area (typically a single room or building). A PAN is typically used for a single user and to connect a small number of gadgets, like a computer, smartphone and printer. The Bluetooth connection is likely the PAN technology that is most well-known. You can therefore thank your Personal Area Network the next time you connect your phone to your vehicle to play music!
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
Simply put, a WLAN is a LAN that doesn’t use cables to connect to the network. Consequently, a WLAN is what you use when using WiFi. WLANs are typically used in the same scenario as LANs; your preference for an on-premises or remote cloud solution will determine which (wires or wireless).
Storage Area Network (SAN)
Another LAN design suited for handling large data transfers and storage is the SAN. This network’s goal is to relocate larger, more complex storage resources outside of the network and into a dedicated, high-performance environment. By doing this, the original network performs better overall and space is freed up while also making it possible for the data to be easily retrieved and stored.
Campus Area Network (CAN)
CAN is bigger than a LAN but smaller than a MAN. This particular kind of computer network is frequently used in establishments like schools and colleges. This network is spread across several buildings on the campus, so it only covers a small area of land.
Examples of CAN are networks that cover colleges, schools, buildings, and more.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN is intended to improve security and privacy when connecting to a network. By encrypting your data and hiding your identity, the VPN serves as an intermediary between you and the network. This is a great option for sending and receiving sensitive information, but whenever you connect to the Internet, a VPN is recommended. Using a VPN is your best option for ensuring your cybersecurity since you run the risk of being targeted by a hacker whenever you’re on a public network.
System-Area Network (SAN)
A SAN is a specific kind of computer network that links a collection of powerful computers. It is a high bandwidth, connection-oriented network. A SAN is a kind of LAN that can handle large requests for large amounts of information. Applications processing on this network benefits from its high network performance.
SAN is utilised by Microsoft SQL Server 2005 via a virtual interface adapter.
Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)
An alternative to a LAN in terms of computer networks is a POLAN. To distribute users and devices, POLAN uses optical splitters to divide an optical signal from a single strand of single-mode optical fibre into multiple signals. POLAN is a point-to-multipoint LAN architecture, to put it briefly.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
A MAN, which is bigger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN, combines features from both sizes of networks. It links numerous LANs together and covers a large geographic area, like a city or town (or sometimes a campus). Though a single person can handle ownership and management, a larger company or organisation is more likely to do so.
Enterprise Private Network (EPN)
Businesses that may require a secure connection across multiple locations to share computer resources frequently use the EPN type of computer network.
Home Area Network (HAN)
There may be more than one computer in many homes. A network should be established similar to the local area network (LAN) in that home to connect those computers and other peripheral devices. Such a type of network that allows a user to interconnect multiple computers and other digital devices within the home is referred to as Home Area Network (HAN). The HAN promotes network-wide resource, file and programme sharing. Both wired and wireless communication are supported.
Frequently Asked Questions About Types Of CN
What type of computer network doesn’t require cables?
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
This type of flexible data communication makes it easy for users to move around a coverage area without the need of cables to maintain network connectivity
What kind of computer network requires STP?
STP can help prevent bridge looping on LANs that include redundant links. Without STP, it would be difficult to implement that redundancy and still avoid network looping. STP monitors all network links, identifies redundant connections and disables the ports that can lead to looping.
What kind of computer networking was the internet?
A wide area network, which can be accessed through a phone line, fibre-optic cable or satellite links, is not restricted to a single location but instead covers a sizable geographic area. One of the largest WANs in the world is the internet. Wide Area Networks are frequently used in the business, government and academic sectors.