Different Types of Network

Different Types of Network

Networks are classified on the basis of scale. The area a network covers determines the type of network it is. Originally, there were only two types of networks:LAN and WAN. But over the years, other types of networks have evolved, like MAN, SAN, PAN etc. Lets take a look at some popular types:

LAN: LAN is the acronym for Local Access Network. A LAN network is a short-distance network. It connects computers that are close together, usually within a room or a building. Very rarely, a LAN network will span a couple of buildings. An example of a LAN network is the network in a school or an office building. A LAN network doesn’t need a router to operate.

WAN: WAN stands for Wide Area Network. WANs cover a huge geographical area. A WAN is a collection of LAN networks. LANs connect to other LANs with the help of a router. The router has a LAN address and a WAN address, which lets it send data to the desired location. The biggest WAN in the world is, of course, the Internet. WANs are different from LANs in that they’re not owned by a single person/organization. They also use different technology that enables them to communicate over long distances, like Frame Relay and ATM.

VPN: VPN stands for Virtual Private Networks. VPNs are very important today. They let you connect to your network from a remote location through the Internet. This saves you time and money- you don’t need to set up a physical connection with your network. The Internet acts as a medium between you and your network. For example, you can access your computer at work through your computer at home.

MAN: MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network. The network in a metro area is a MAN. They are usually more limited in scope than WANs, but essentially work the same way.