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Types of Computer Networks

Last Updated : 08 Jul, 2024

A computer network is a cluster of computers over a shared

communication path that works to share resources from one computer to
another, provided by or located on the network nodes. In this article, we
will discuss computer networks and their types.

What is a Computer Network?

A computer network is a system that connects many independent
computers to share information (data) and resources. The integration of
computers and other different devices allows users to communicate more
easily. A computer network is a collection of two or more computer
systems that are linked together. A network connection can be established
using either cable or wireless media. Hardware and software are used to
connect computers and tools in any network.

Uses of Computer Networks

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

There are mainly five types of Computer Networks
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1. Personal Area Network (PAN)
2. Local Area Network (LAN)
3. Campus Area Network (CAN)
4. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
5. Wide Area Network (WAN)

Types of Computer Networks

1. Personal Area Network (PAN)

PAN is the most basic type of computer network. It is a type of network
designed to connect devices within a short range, typically around one
person. It allows your personal devices, like smartphones, tablets, laptops,
and wearables, to communicate and share data with each other. PAN
offers a network range of 1 to 100 meters from person to device providing
communication. Its transmission speed is very high with very easy
maintenance and very low cost. This uses Bluetooth, IrDA, and Zigbee as
technology. Examples of PAN are USB, computer, phone, tablet, printer,
PDA, etc.

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 Personal Area Network (PAN)

Types of PAN

Wireless Personal Area Networks: Wireless Personal Area Networks

are created by simply utilising wireless technologies such as WiFi and
Bluetooth. It is a low-range network.
Wired Personal Area Network: A wired personal area network is
constructed using a USB.

Advantages of PAN

PAN is relatively flexible and provides high efficiency for short network
ranges.
It needs easy setup and relatively low cost.
It does not require frequent installations and maintenance
It is easy and portable.
Needs fewer technical skills to use.

Disadvantages of PAN

Low network coverage area/range.

Limited to relatively low data rates.
Openeach
Devices are not compatible with In App
other.
 Inbuilt WPAN devices are a little bit costly.

Applications of PAN

Home and Offices

Organizations and the Business sector
Medical and Hospital
School and College Education
Military and Defense

2. Local Area Network (LAN)

LAN is the most frequently used network. A LAN is a computer network
that connects computers 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. It ranges up to 2km &
transmission speed is very high with easy maintenance and low cost.
Examples of LAN are networking in a home, school, library, laboratory,
college, office, etc.

Local Area Network (LAN)

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Advantages of a LAN

Privacy: LAN is a private network, thus no outside regulatory body

controls it, giving it a privacy.
High Speed: LAN offers a much higher speed(around 100 mbps) and
data transfer rate comparatively to WAN.
Supports different transmission mediums: LAN support a variety of
communications transmission medium such as an Ethernet cable (thin
cable, thick cable, and twisted pair), fiber and wireless transmission.
Inexpensive and Simple: A LAN usually has low cost, installation,
expansion and maintenance and LAN installation is relatively easy to
use, good scalability.

Disadvantages of LAN

The initial setup costs of installing Local Area Networks is high because
there is special software required to make a server.
Communication devices like an ethernet cable, switches, hubs, routers,
cables are costly.
LAN administrator can see and check personal data files as well
as Internet history of each and every LAN user. Hence, the privacy of
the users are violated
LANs are restricted in size and cover only a limited area
Since all the data is stored in a single server computer, if it can be
accessed by an unauthorized user, can cause a serious data security
threat.

3. Campus Area Network (CAN)

CAN is bigger than a LAN but smaller than a MAN. This is a type of
computer network that is usually used in places like a school or colleges.
This network covers a limited geographical area that is, it spreads across
several buildings within the campus. CAN mainly use Ethernet technology
with a range from 1km to 5km. Its transmission speed is very high with a
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moderate maintenance cost and moderate cost. Examples of CAN are
networks that cover schools, colleges, buildings, etc.

Campus Area Network (CAN)

Advantages of CAN

Speed: Communication within a CAN takes place over Local Area

Network (LAN) so data transfer rate between systems is little bit fast
than Internet.
Security: Network administrators of campus take care of network by
continuous monitoring, tracking and limiting access. To protect network
from unauthorized access firewall is placed between network and
internet.
Cost effective: With a little effort and maintenance, network works well
by providing fast data transfer rate with multi-departmental network
access. It can be enabled wirelessly, where wiring and cabling costs can
be managed. So to work with in a campus using CAN is cost-effective in
view of performance

4. 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
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through a shared communication path over a city, town, or metropolitan
area. This network mainly uses FDDI, CDDI, and ATM as the technology
with a range from 5km to 50km. Its transmission speed is average. It is
difficult to maintain and it comes with a high cost. Examples of MAN are
networking in towns, cities, a single large city, a large area within multiple
buildings, etc.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Advantages of MAN

MAN offers high-speed connectivity in which the speed ranges from

10-100 Mbps.
The security level in MAN is high and strict as compared to WAN.
It support to transmit data in both directions concurrently because of
dual bus architecture.
MAN can serve multiple users at a time with the same high-speed
internet to all the users.
MAN allows for centralized management and control of the network,
making it easier to monitor and manage network resources and security.

Disadvantages of MAN

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 The architecture of MAN is quite complicated hence, it is hard to design
and maintain.
This network is highly expensive because it required the high cost to set
up fiber optics.
It provides less fault tolerance.
The Data transfer rate in MAN is low when compare to LANs.

5. 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 with a range above 50km. Here we use Leased-Line & Dial-up
technology. Its transmission speed is very low and it comes with very high
maintenance and very high cost. The most common example of WAN is
the Internet.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Advantages of WAN

It covers large geographical area which enhances the reach of

organisation to transmit data quickly and cheaply.
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 The data can be stored in centralised manner because of remote access
to data provided by WAN.
The travel charges that are needed to cover the geographical area of
work can be minimised.
WAN enables a user or organisation to connect with the world very
easily and allows to exchange data and do business at global level.

Disadvantages of WAN

Traffic congestion in Wide Area Network is very high.

The fault tolerance ability of WAN is very less.
Noise and error are present in large amount due to multiple connection
point.
The data transfer rate is slow in comparison to LAN because of large
distances and high number of connected system within the network.

Comparison between Different Computer Networks

Parameters PAN LAN CAN MAN WAN

Personal Local Campus Metropolitan Wide

Full Name Area Area Area Area Area
Network Network Network Network Network

Leased
Bluetooth, Ethernet FDDI, CDDi.
Technology Ethernet Line,
IrDA,Zigbee & Wifi ATM
Dial-Up

Upto Above
Range 1-100 m 1 – 5 km 5-50 km
2km 50 km

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 Parameters PAN LAN CAN MAN WAN

Transmission Very
Very High High Average Low
Speed High

Private
Private or
Ownership Private Private Private or
Public
Public

Very
Maintenance Very Easy Easy Moderate Difficult
Difficult

Very
Cost Very Low Low Moderate High
High

Other Types of Computer Networks

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
Storage Area Network (SAN)
System-Area Network (SAN)
Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)
Enterprise Private Network (EPN)
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Home Area Network (HAN)

1. 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.
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 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

There are several computer networks available; more information is

provided below.

2. 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 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.

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 Storage Area Network (SAN)

3. Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)

A POLAN is a type of computer network that is an alternative to a LAN.

POLAN uses optical splitters to split an optical signal from a single strand
of single-mode optical fiber to multiple signals to distribute users and
devices. In short, POLAN is a point to multipoint LAN architecture.

Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)

4. 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.

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 Enterprise Private Network (EPN)

5. 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.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

6. 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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 Home Area Network (HAN)

Internetwork
An internet network is defined as two or more computer network LANs,
WANs, or computer network segments that are connected by devices and
configured with a local addressing system. The method is known as
internetworking. There are two types of Internetwork.

Intranet: An internal network within an organization that enables

employees to share data, collaborate, and access resources. Intranets
are not accessible to the public and use private IP addresses.
Extranet: Extranets extend the intranet to authorized external users,
such as business partners or clients. They provide controlled access to
specific resources while maintaining security.

Advantages of Computer Network

Central Storage of Data: Files are stored on a central storage database
which helps to easily access and available to everyone.
Connectivity: A single connection can be routed to connect multiple
computing devices.
Sharing of Files: Files and data can be easily shared among multiple
devices which helps in easily communicating among the organization.
Security through Authorization: Computer Networking provides
additional security and protection
Open of
In information
App in the system.
Disadvantages of Computer Network
Virus and Malware: A virus is a program that can infect other programs
by modifying them. Viruses and Malware can corrupt the whole
network.
High Cost of Setup: The initial setup of Computer Networking is
expensive because it consists of a lot of wires and cables along with the
device.
loss of Information: In case of a System Failure, might lead to some
loss of data.
Management of Network: Management of a Network is somehow
complex for a person, it requires training for its proper use.

Conclusion
In conclusion, computer networks are essential components that connect
various computer devices in order to efficiently share data and resources.
PAN, LAN, CAN, MAN, and WAN networks serve a wide range of
applications and purposes, each with its own set of advantages and
drawbacks. Understanding these networks and their applications improves
connectivity, data exchange, and resource utilization in a variety of
applications from personal use to global communications.

Frequently Asked Questions on Types of Computer

Network – FAQs

What are the types of service in CN?

Internet and cloud connectivity.

Branch office and campus connectivity.
Private data center services.
Secure cloud-connectivity services.
Virtual network services.
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What are the types of channel in CN?

Simplex
Half-Duplex
Full-Duplex

What is WAN-as-a-service?

One type of cloud-based WAN model is WAN-as-a-service. WAN-

as-a-service options are intended to take the place of legacy WAN
arrangements, which are hard to scale up, rely on hardware, and
require communication protocols like multiprotocol label switching
(MPLS).

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 Types of Networks in Computer Network

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