Introduction to Communication and
Technology
Introduction to Computer Networks
Shafaq Arshad
INDEX
What is Networking?
Networking
Advantages of Computer Network
Disadvantages of Computer Network
Classification of area by their geography
Personal Area Network (PAN)
Local Area Network (LAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Campus Area Network (CAN)
Distinguish between LAN, WAN, MAN
What is
Definition:Networking?
A computer network is defined as the interconnection of
two or more computers. It is done to enable the
computers to communicate and share available resources.
Application:
Sharing of resources such as printers
Sharing of expensive software's and database
Communication from one computer to
another computer
Exchange of data and information among users via
network
Sharingof information over geographically
wide areas.
Computer networks have opened up an
entire frontier in the world of computing
called the client / server model.
Increased speed
Reduced cost
Improved security
Centralized software managements
Electronic mail
Flexible access
DISADVATAGES OF COMPUTER NETWORKS
High cost of installation
Requires time for administration
Failure of server
Cable faults
CLASSIFICATION OF AREA BY
THEIR GEOGRAPHY
NETWORK
PA LAN WA MAN CAN
N N
PERSONAL AREA NETWORK(PAN)
A personal area network is a computer network
organized around an individual person.
It generally consists of a mobile, a computer, a cell
phone or personal digital assistant. PAN enables the
communication among these devices.
It can also be used for communication among
personal devices themselves for connecting to a digital
level network and internet.
The PANs can be constructed using wireless or
cables.
PERSONAL AREA NETWORK(PAN)
LOCAL AREA NETWORK(LAN)
LAN is a network which is designed to operate over a
small physical area such as an office, factory or a group
of buildings.
LAN’s are easy to design and troubleshoot.
Exchange of information and sharing of resources
becomes easy because of LAN.
In LAN all machines are connected to a single cable.
Different types of topologies such as star, tree, bus,
ring, etc Can be used.
LOCAL AREA NETWORK(LAN)
It is usually a privately owned network.
WIDE AREA NETWORK(WAN)
When network spans over a large distance or when the
computers to be connected to each other are at widely
separated locations a local area network cannot be used. A
wide area network(WAN) is installed.
The communication between different users of WAN is
established using leased telephone lines, satellite links and
similar channels.
It is cheaper and more efficient to use the phone network
for the link.
WIDE AREA NETWORK(WAN)
Most WAN networks are used to transfer large blocks
of data between its users.
METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK (MAN)
It is in between LAN & WAN technology that
covers the entire city.
It uses similar technology as LAN.
It can be a single network such as cable TV
network, or a measure of connecting a number of
LAN’s or a large network so that resources can be
shared LAN to LAN as well as device to device.
METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK (MAN)
CAMPUS AREA NETWORK(CAN)
The campus area network is made up of an
interconnection of LAN with limited geographical
area.
Network equipments such as switches, routers
and the transmission media i.e. optical fibre etc
are almost entirely owned by the campus owner.
CAMPUS AREA NETWORK(CAN)
DISTINGUISH BETWEEN LAN,WAN,MAN
MAN
Parameters LAN WAN MAN
Ownership of Private Private or Public Private or Public
network
Geographical Small Very Large Moderate
covered area
Design and Easy Not easy Not easy
Maintenance
Communication Coaxial Cable PSTN or Satellite Coaxial cable,
medium links PSTN, optical
fiber cables,
wireless
Bandwidth Low High Moderate
Data Rate High Low Medium
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