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1.3. Types of Computer Networks

This document discusses different types of computer networks. It defines a computer network as connecting computers over a shared communication path to share resources. It then lists 12 specific types of networks including personal area networks (PAN), local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), campus area networks (CAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN), storage area networks (SAN), system area networks (SAN), passive optical local area networks (POLAN), enterprise private networks (EPN), virtual private networks (VPN), and home area networks (HAN). Each network type is defined based on its geographical range and purpose.

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JUGRAJ SINGH
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349 views

1.3. Types of Computer Networks

This document discusses different types of computer networks. It defines a computer network as connecting computers over a shared communication path to share resources. It then lists 12 specific types of networks including personal area networks (PAN), local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), campus area networks (CAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN), storage area networks (SAN), system area networks (SAN), passive optical local area networks (POLAN), enterprise private networks (EPN), virtual private networks (VPN), and home area networks (HAN). Each network type is defined based on its geographical range and purpose.

Uploaded by

JUGRAJ SINGH
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Types of Computer Networks

A computer network is a cluster of computers over a shared communication path that


works for the purpose of sharing resources from one computer to another, provided
by or located on the network nodes.

Some of the uses of computer networks are the following:

 Communicating using email, video, instant messaging, etc.


 Sharing devices such as printers, scanners, etc.
 Sharing files
 Sharing software and operating programs on remote systems
 Allowing network users to easily access and maintain information

Types of Computer Networks


1. Personal Area Network (PAN)
2. Local Area Network (LAN)
3. Wide Area Network (WAN)
4. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
5. Campus Area Network (CAN)
6. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
7. Storage Area Network (SAN)
8. System-Area Network (SAN)
9. Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)
10. Enterprise Private Network (EPN)
11. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
12. Home Area Network (HAN)

1. Personal Area Network (PAN) :


PAN is the most basic type of computer network. This network is restrained
to a single person, that is, communication between the computer devices is
centred only to an individual’s work space. PAN offers a network range of 10
meters from a person to the device providing communication.
Examples of PAN are USB, computer, phone, tablet, printer, PDA, etc.
2. Local Area Network (LAN) : 
LAN is the most frequently used network. A LAN is a computer network that
connects computers together through a common communication path,
contained within a limited area, that is, locally. A LAN encompasses two or
more computers connected over a server. The two important technologies
involved in this network are Ethernet and Wi-fi. 
Examples of LAN are networking in a home, school, library, laboratory,
college, office, etc.
3. Wide Area Network (WAN) :
WAN is a type of computer network that connects computers over a large
geographical distance through a shared communication path. It is not
restrained to a single location but extends over many locations. WAN can
also be defined as a group of local area networks that communicate with
each other. 
The most common example of WAN is the Internet.
 4. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) : 
WLAN is a type of computer network that acts as a local area network but
makes use of wireless network technology like Wi-Fi. This network doesn’t
allow devices to communicate over physical cables like in LAN but allows
devices to communicate wirelessly. 
The most common example of WLAN is Wi-Fi.

5- Campus area Network


A campus area
network (CAN) is a
computer network that
spans a limited
geographic area. CANs
interconnect multiple
local area networks
(LAN) within an
educational or
corporate campus. 

6. Metropolitan Area
Network (MAN) : 
A MAN is larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN. This is the type of
computer network that connects computers over a geographical distance
through a shared communication path over a city, town or metropolitan area. 
Examples of MAN are networking in towns, cities, a single large city, large
area within multiple buildings, etc.
7. Storage Area Network (SAN) :
SAN is a type of computer network that is high speed and connects groups
of storage devices to several servers. This network does not depend on LAN
or WAN.. Instead, a SAN moves the storage resources from the network to
its own high-powered network. A SAN provides access to block-level data
storage.
Examples of SAN are a network of disks accessed by a network of servers.

8. System Area Network (SAN) :


A SAN is a type of computer network that connects a cluster of high-
performance computers. It is a connection-oriented and high bandwidth
network. A SAN is a type of LAN that handles high amounts of information in
large requests. This network is useful for processing applications that require
high network performance. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 uses SAN through
virtual interface adapter.

9. Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN) :


A POLAN is a type of computer network which is an alternative to a LAN.
POLAN uses optical splitters to split an optical signal from a single strand of
single mode optical fibre to multiple signals to distribute users and devices.
In short, POLAN is a point to multipoint LAN architecture. 

10. Enterprise Private Network (EPN) :


EPN is a type of computer network mostly used by businesses that want a
secure connection over various locations to share computer resources. 
11. Virtual Private Network (VPN) :
A VPN is a type of computer network that extends a private network across
the internet and lets the user send and receive data as if they were
connected to a private network even though they are not. Through a virtual
point-to-point connection users can access a private network remotely. VPN
protects you from malicious sources by operating as a medium that gives
you a protected network connection. 
12. Home Area Network (HAN) :
Many of the houses might have more than a computer. To interconnect those
computers and with other peripheral devices, a network should be
established similar to the local area network (LAN) within that home. 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).  HAN encourages sharing of resources, files, and programs within the
network. It supports both wired and wireless communication. 

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