Types of Computer Networks

Network Classification by Geographic Location – LAN/WAN/MAN

Network Classification by Role
Network Topologies

Fundamentals of Networking – NET 101 1

Network Classification by
Geographical Location
LAN, MAN, WAN

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Local Area Network (LAN)
 Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each other
in a small area such as building, office.
 LAN is used for connecting two or more personal computers through a
communication medium such as twisted pair, coaxial cable, etc.
 It is less costly as it is built with inexpensive hardware such as hubs,
network adapters, and ethernet cables.

NET 101 – L03 3

Local Area Network (LAN)

NET 101 – L03 4

Types of Local Area Network (LAN)
 Wired LANs (WLANs)
 Wireless LANs
 Virtual LANs (VLANs)
 Perimeter Networks

NET 101 – L03 5

Wired LANs (WLANs)
 Hosts, such as PCs or laptops,
are connected to central
connecting
 Devices by copper-based twisted
pair cabling

NET 101 – L03 6

Wireless LANs
 Hosts connect to networks
through WAPs
 To connect to a WAP, a device
must have a wireless network
adapter
 In larger WLANs, the WAP has
to connect to a wired switch

NET 101 – L03 7

Virtual LANs (VLANs)
 With VLANs, devices in a LAN
are grouped based on their
function
 They are implemented to:
 Organize networks
 Enhance performance
 Increase security
 Physical location of devices does
not matter

NET 101 – L03 8

Perimeter Networks
 Perimeter networks, or
demilitarized zones (DMZs), are
small LANs that are set up
outside of an organization’s LAN
 DMZs typically consist of
servers that provide services, like
web hosting or email
 This setup allows users outside
of an organization’s LAN to
access the servers, but not the
organization’s LAN

NET 101 – L03 9

Personal Area Network (PAN)
 Personal Area Network is a network arranged within an individual
person, typically within a range of 10 meters.
 Personal Area Network is used for connecting the computer devices of
personal use.
 Thomas Zimmerman was the first research scientist to bring the idea
of the Personal Area Network.
 Personal Area Network covers an area of 30 feet.

NET 101 – L03 10

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
 MAN network covers larger area by connections LANs to a larger
network of computers.
 In Metropolitan area network various Local area networks are
connected with each other through telephone lines.
 The size of the Metropolitan area network is larger than LANs and
smaller than WANs(wide area networks), a MANs covers the larger
area of a city or town.

NET 101 – L03 11

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

NET 101 – L03 12

Wide Area Network (WAN)
 A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large
geographical area such as states or countries.
 A Wide Area Network is not limited to a single location, but it spans
over a large geographical area through a telephone line, fibre optic
cable or satellite links.
 The internet is one of the biggest WAN in the world.

NET 101 – L03 13

Wide Area Network (WAN)

NET 101 – L03 14

Differentiation between LAN, WAN and MAN
Parameters LAN MAN WAN
Ownership of Private Private or Private or
Network Public Public
Geographical Small Moderate Very Large
Location
Design and Easy Not Easy Not Easy
Maintenance
Communication UTP Cable, Coaxial cables, Satellite Links
Medium Coaxial Cable Optical fiber,
Cables, Wires

Bandwidth High Moderate Low

Data Rates High Moderate Low
(Speed)

NET 101 – L03 15

Network Classification by Role
Client-Server
Peer-to-Peer

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Network Classification by Role
 The Client/Server Model
 The Peer-to-Peer Model

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The Client/Server Model
 Servers are computers dedicated to providing specific types of services
or data
 A client (a computer) uses software to ask a server for data or services
 The server provides the data or service to the client

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The Client/Server Model

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Types of Servers
Server Type Function(s)
File server Store files, software, or data for access by computers on a
network.
Print server Allows computers that are connected to a network to control
printers on the network
Database server Houses a relational database made up of multiple files.
Network controller Controls accounts that are domain, as well as the devices that
belong to a network
Messaging server Provide services related to email, fax, instant messaging and
collaboration.
Web server Provides access to HTML documents for computers on a network.

CTI-based serve Responsible for Computer Telephony Integration, which integrates a

network’s telephone and computer systems

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The Peer-to-Peer Model
 Peers are clients that have equal capabilities and responsibilities in this
model
 Ability to request serve and request data
 No server in this model
 Examples of file sharing networks
 Napster
 Gnutella
 G2
 Other technologies also take advantage of P2P file sharing:
 Skype
 VoIP

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The Peer-to-Peer Model

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Network Topologies

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What is a network topology?
 A network topology defines the physical connections of hosts in a
network
 There are multiple types of topologies, including:
 Bus
 Star
 Ring
 Mesh

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Bus Topology
 All devices are connected via copper cable in a line
 In a bus network all the workstations, servers and printers are joined to
one cable (the bus). At each end of the cable a terminator is fitted to
stop signals reflecting back down the bus.

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Bus Topology

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Bus Topology
Advantages and disadvantages of a bus network:
The advantages of a bus network are:
 it is easy to install
 it is cheap to install, as it doesn't require much cable
The disadvantages of a bus network are:
 if the main cable fails or gets damaged the whole network will fail
 as more workstations are connected the performance of the network
will become slower because of data collisions
 every workstation on the network "sees" all of the data on the network
– this is a security risk

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Star Topology
 Each host is connected to a central connecting device with twisted-pair
cabling
 In a star network each device on the network has its own cable that
connects to a switch or hub. A hub sends every packet of data to every
device, whereas a switch only sends a packet of data to the destination
device.

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Star Topology

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Star Topology
Advantages and disadvantages of a star network:
The advantages of a star network are:
 it is very reliable – if one cable or device fails then all the others will
continue to work
 it is high-performing as no data collisions can occur
The disadvantages of a star network are:
 it is expensive to install as this type of network uses the most cable
(network cable is expensive)
 extra hardware is required (hubs or switches) which adds to cost
 if a hub or switch fails, all the devices connected to it will have no
network connection
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Ring Topology
 Each device is connected to the LAN using a closed loop
 In a ring network each device (workstation, server, printer) is
connected to two other devices - this forms a ring for the signals to
travel around. Each packet of data on the network travels in one
direction and each device receives each packet in turn until the
destination device receives it.

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Ring Topology

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Ring Topology
 This type of network can transfer data quickly, even if there are a large
number of devices connected because the data only flows in one
direction, so there won’t be any data collisions. However, the real
disadvantage is that if the main cable fails or any device is faulty, then
the whole network will fail.

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Mesh Topology
 Each computer connects to every other computer in a LAN
 No central connecting device
 Setup is fault-tolerant

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Mesh Topology
 Advantages of mesh topology:
 Each connection can carry its own data load
 It is robust
 A fault is diagnosed easily
 Provides security and privacy
 Disadvantages of mesh topology:
 Installation and configuration are difficult if the connectivity gets more
 Cabling cost is more and the most in case of a fully connected mesh topology
 Bulk wiring is required

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