WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORK?

                                

           - Important Words

Computer Network

 A computer network is a set of connected computers. Computers on a network are called nodes. The connection between computers can be done via cabling, most commonly the Ethernet cable, or wirelessly through radio waves. Connected computers can share resources, like access to the Internet, printers, file servers, and others. A network is a multipurpose connection, which allows a single computer to do more. © en.wikipedia.org

Types Of Computer Network

1.Personal Area Network (PAN)

   A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network for interconnecting devices centered on an individual person's workspace. A PAN provides data transmission amongst devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets and personal digital assistants. PANs can be used for communication amongst the personal devices themselves, or for connecting to a higher level network and the Internet where one master device takes up the role as gateway. A PAN may be carried over wired computer buses such as USB.  © en.wikipedia.org

If there is a personal area network (PAN) that is carried over wired computer buses such as USB, there is also a wireless version of it. It is called Wireless Personal Area Network.

 A WPAN (wireless personal area network) is a personal area network - a network for interconnecting devices centered around an individual person's workspace - in which the connections are wireless. Typically, a wireless personal area network uses some technology that permits communication within about 10 meters - in other words, a very short range. One such technology is Bluetooth, which was used as the basis for a new standard, IEEE 802.15. © searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com

                                               

2. Local Area Network (LAN)

       A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, school, laboratory, university campus or office building. By contrast, a wide area network (WAN) not only covers a larger geographic distance, but also generally involves leased telecommunication circuits.

Ethernet and Wi-Fi are the two most common technologies in use for local area networks. Historical technologies include ARCNET, Token Ring, and Apple Talk. © en.wikipedia.org

Let’s now proceed to its wireless version…

      A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a wireless distribution method for two or more devices that use high-frequency radio waves and often include an access point to the Internet. A WLAN allows users to move around the coverage area, often a home or small office, while maintaining a network connection.

A WLAN is sometimes call a local area wireless network (LAWN). © www.techopedia.com

3. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

                                                                                                                           A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a computer network that interconnects users with computer resources in a geographic area or region larger than that covered by even a large local area network (LAN) but smaller than the area covered by a wide area network (WAN). The term MAN is applied to the interconnection of networks in a city into a single larger network which may then also offer efficient connection to a wide area network. It is also used to mean the interconnection of several local area networks in a metropolitan area through the use of between them. © en.wikipedia.org

Wait... if there's a WPAN and WLAN, is there a WMAN?

OH HELL YES! Let's proceed to that...

↓

   Wireless metropolitan area networks (WMANs) enable users to establish wireless connections between multiple locations within a metropolitan area (for example, between multiple office buildings in a city or on a university campus), without the high cost of laying fiber or copper cabling and leasing lines. In addition, WMANs can serve as backups for wired networks, should the primary leased lines for wired networks become unavailable. WMANs use either radio waves or infrared light to transmit data. Broadband wireless access networks, which provide users with high-speed access to the Internet, are in increasing demand. © web.mst.edu

2. Wide Area Network (WAN)

    A wide area network (WAN) is a telecommunications network or computer network that extends over a large geographical distance/ place. Wide area networks are often established with leased telecommunication circuits.

Business, education and government entities use wide area networks to relay data to staff, students, clients, buyers, and suppliers from various locations across the world. In essence, this mode of telecommunication allows a business to effectively carry out its daily function regardless of location. The Internet may be considered a WAN. © en.wikipedia.org

The largest of all, will this have a wireless one?

Yes! It has as well! Let's discuss it...

Wireless Wide Area Network (WMAN)

WWANs have been in place since the early 1980s for voice communication, and since the early 1990s for data communication. Access to these networks requires users to sign an agreement with the company that operates the network they are interested in. This agreement will allow them to use the wireless network for a fee, which is often calculated by the number of minutes the user is connected to the network, or more recently, by the amount of data transferred over the network. This fee helps the service provider cover the cost of building and maintaining the wide area network, as well as the cost required to purchase the spectrum used for communication.