What name is given to a connection between two or more computers or devices that are not on the same private network?

Technology made a huge breakthrough in 1936 when the first computer was invented. However, it wasn’t until years later in 1969 that the first-ever computer-to-computer link was established. This development was what ultimately paved the way for the Internet-driven world we live in today.

Table of Contents Show

Local Area Network
Wireless Area Network
Disadvantages of PAN
Disadvantages of WAN
Disadvantages of MAN
2) Storage-Area Network (SAN)
3) System-Area Network
4) Passive Optical Local Area Network
5) Home Area Network (HAN):
6) Enterprise Private Network :
7) Campus Area Network (CAN):
8) Virtual Private Network:

So, what is a network? It’s the connection of two or more computers that are linked in order to share files, resources, and allow communication. The type of network depends on the number of devices, as well as the location and distance between each.

Do you know what network your home or business utilizes? If not, find out by checking out 7 different types of commonly utilized networks in the list below.

This is the smallest and most basic network that you’ll find. It’s meant to cover a very small area (typically a single room or building). A PAN is most commonly used for one individual and to connect just a handful of devices such as a computer, smart phone, and printer. Probably the most well-known PAN technology is Bluetooth connection. So, next time you connect your phone to your car to play music, you can thank your Personal Area Network!

This is an extremely common and well-known type of network. Just as the name suggests, a LAN connects a group of computers or devices together across a local area. This type of network can be utilized to connect devices throughout one building or even 2-3 buildings depending on the proximity to each other. Whether your office location utilizes wired or wireless connection, it’s almost surely using a LAN connection. This brings us to the next type of network…

A WLAN is simply a LAN that does not rely on cables to connect to the network. So, when you’re using WiFi, you’re using a WLAN. WLANs are typically used in the same scenario as LANs, it just depends on whether you’d prefer an on premises or remote cloud solution (wires or wireless).

Larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN, a MAN incorporates elements of both types of networks. It connects multiple LANs together and spans an entire geographical area such as a city or town (or sometimes a campus). Ownership and management can be handled by a single person, but it’s more likely done by a larger company or organization.

Like LANs, you very well may recognize the term “WAN.” WANs do the same thing as LANs but across a larger area while connecting more devices. Even when miles apart, a WAN can connect devices together remotely. In fact, the most basic example of a WAN is the Internet which connects computers and devices worldwide. Since it’s much larger, this type of network is typically maintained by multiple administrators and ownership is distributed across various organizations.

A SAN is another type of LAN that’s designed to handle large data transfers and storage. This purpose of this network is to move larger, more complex storage resources away from the network into a separate, high-performance atmosphere. Doing this not only allows for easy retrieval and storage of the data but it also frees up space and improves overall performance of the original network.

The point of a VPN is to increase security and privacy while accessing a network. The VPN acts as a middleman between you and the network by encrypting your data and hiding your identity. This is a great option for sending and receiving sensitive information, however, using a VPN is ideal anytime you connect to the Internet. Anytime you’re on a public network, you run the risk of being targeted by a hacker, so using a VPN is you best bet at ensuring your cybersecurity.

At Sierra Experts, we provide various networking services from planning and design to implementing and monitoring. After all, at the core of any successful business is a computer network that’s running at peak performance. Even if you think you have a high-functioning, reliable network, it couldn’t hurt to have us check it out. We provide services such as network mapping and penetration testing which can help provide insight on how your network is functioning and what can be improved.

If you’re interested in learning more and finding out how Sierra can help, click here to get started with a free network management consultation.

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Sierra Experts is an IT Managed Service and Support provider, specializing in IT Monitoring and Management, Cloud/Virtual Systems, Hosting, VoIP/SIP PBX Trunks and Solutions, Physical Server Hosting, Website Design and Development, Software Development, and Hardware and Software reselling. For more, check out www.SierraExperts.com

Network technologies allow two or more computers to connect with each other. The most common of these technologies include Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless Area Network (WAN), the Internet via client servers and Bluetooth. Each of these computer network types serves a different purpose and you may find a need to use each one.

Local Area Network

A Local Area Network (LAN) connects two or more computers together via Ethernet cables. For office networking, this is one of the most common network types, because of its reliability, stability and performance. This type allows computers to communicate directly with each other, as long as each computer on the network has been granted access to the computer with which it is trying to connect. A LAN can also take the external Internet connection and distribute it to all computers on the network, making it possible to pull up outside websites.

Wireless Area Network

A Wireless Area Network (WAN) has the same function of connecting computers on a home or office network as a LAN, but it distributes the signal wirelessly. A wireless connection allows compatible desktop computers, laptops, smart phones and tablet devices to connect with one another. A wireless connection is most commonly used in homes to connect with the Internet. Wi-Fi hotspots that you find at local shops also use a WAN to distribute the Internet to their patrons.

Internet

The Internet is the most commonly used network technology with billions of daily users throughout the world. An Internet provider services paying customers via client servers. The provider's servers are responsible for going out and finding the requested website and sending it through the cable lines back to the user. Websites are hosted on a client server, which then delivers the Web pages to your computer's browser.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a relatively newer technology, which usually wirelessly connects accessories to a device, such as a Bluetooth headset that allows you to talk hands-free on your mobile phone. You can also create a Personal Area Network (PAN) with Bluetooth technology, which allows you to connect up to eight computers. The central computer is known as the master and the seven auxiliary computers are known as slaves. A slave computer must call up to the master to get access to the Personal Area Network (PAN), or to receive access to any of the other slave computers.

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A Computer Network is a group of two or more interconnected computer systems that use common connection protocols for sharing various resources and files. You can establish a computer network connection using either cable or wireless media. Every network involves hardware and software that connects computers and tools.

In this Computer networking tutorial, you will learn:

There are various types of Computer Networking options available. The classification of network in computers can be done according to their size as well as their purpose.

The size of a network should be expressed by the geographic area and number of computers, which are a part of their networks. It includes devices housed in a single room to millions of devices spread across the world. Following are the popular types of Computer Network:

Types of Computer Networks

Some of the most popular computer network types are:

PAN (Personal Area Network)
LAN (Local Area Network)
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
WAN (Wide Area Network)

Let’s study all of these types of networking in detail.

PAN (Personal Area Network) is a computer network formed around a person. It generally consists of a computer, mobile, or personal digital assistant. PAN can be used for establishing communication among these personal devices for connecting to a digital network and the internet.

Below are the main characteristics of PAN:

It is mostly personal devices network equipped within a limited area.
Allows you to handle the interconnection of IT devices at the surrounding of a single user.
PAN includes mobile devices, tablet, and laptop.
It can be wirelessly connected to the internet called WPAN.
Appliances use for PAN: cordless mice, keyboards, and Bluetooth systems.

Here are the important pros/benefits of PAN network:

PAN networks are relatively secure and safe
It offers only short-range solution up to ten meters
Strictly restricted to a small area

Disadvantages of PAN

Here are the cons/drawbacks of using PAN network:

It may establish a bad connection to other networks at the same radio bands.
Distance limits.

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a group of computer and peripheral devices which are connected in a limited area such as school, laboratory, home, and office building. It is a widely useful network for sharing resources like files, printers, games, and other application. The simplest type of LAN network is to connect computers and a printer in someone’s home or office. In general, LAN will be used as one type of transmission medium. It is a network which consists of less than 5000 interconnected devices across several buildings.

Local Area Network (LAN)

Here are the important characteristics of a LAN network:

It is a private network, so an outside regulatory body never controls it.
LAN operates at a relatively higher speed compared to other WAN systems.
There are various kinds of media access control methods like token ring and ethernet.

Here are the pros/benefits of LAN:

Computer resources like hard-disks, DVD-ROM, and printers can share local area networks. This significantly reduces the cost of hardware purchases.
You can use the same software over the network instead of purchasing the licensed software for each client in the network.
Data of all network users can be stored on a single hard disk of the server computer.
You can easily transfer data and messages over networked computers.
It will be easy to manage data at only one place, which makes data more secure.
Local Area Network offers the facility to share a single internet connection among all the LAN users.

Here are the cons/drawbacks of LAN:

LAN will indeed save cost because of shared computer resources, but the initial cost of installing Local Area Networks is quite high.
The LAN admin can check personal data files of every LAN user, so it does not offer good privacy.
Unauthorized users can access critical data of an organization in case LAN admin is not able to secure centralized data repository.
Local Area Network requires a constant LAN administration as there are issues related to software setup and hardware failures

WAN (Wide Area Network) is another important computer network that which is spread across a large geographical area. WAN network system could be a connection of a LAN which connects with other LAN’s using telephone lines and radio waves. It is mostly limited to an enterprise or an organization.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Below are the characteristics of WAN:

The software files will be shared among all the users; therefore, all can access to the latest files.
Any organization can form its global integrated network using WAN.

Here are the benefits/pros of WAN:

WAN helps you to cover a larger geographical area. Therefore business offices situated at longer distances can easily communicate.
Contains devices like mobile phones, laptop, tablet, computers, gaming consoles, etc.
WLAN connections work using radio transmitters and receivers built into client devices.

Disadvantages of WAN

Here are the drawbacks/cons of WAN network:

The initial setup cost of investment is very high.
It is difficult to maintain the WAN network. You need skilled technicians and network administrators.
There are more errors and issues because of the wide coverage and the use of different technologies.
It requires more time to resolve issues because of the involvement of multiple wired and wireless technologies.
Offers lower security compared to other types of network in computer.

Also Check: LAN vs WAN: What’s the Difference?

A Metropolitan Area Network or MAN is consisting of a computer network across an entire city, college campus, or a small region. This type of network is large than a LAN, which is mostly limited to a single building or site. Depending upon the type of configuration, this type of network allows you to cover an area from several miles to tens of miles.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Here are important characteristics of the MAN network:

It mostly covers towns and cities in a maximum 50 km range
Mostly used medium is optical fibers, cables
Data rates adequate for distributed computing applications.

Here are the pros/benefits of MAN network:

It offers fast communication using high-speed carriers, like fiber optic cables.
It provides excellent support for an extensive size network and greater access to WANs.
The dual bus in MAN network provides support to transmit data in both directions concurrently.
A MAN network mostly includes some areas of a city or an entire city.

Disadvantages of MAN

Here are drawbacks/cons of using the MAN network:

You need more cable to establish MAN connection from one place to another.
In MAN network it is tough to make the system secure from hackers

Apart from above mentioned computer networks, here are some other important types of networks:

WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)
Storage Area Network
System Area Network
Home Area Network
POLAN- Passive Optical LAN
Enterprise private network
Campus Area Network
Virtual Area Network

Let’s see all these different types of networks in detail:

1) WLAN

WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) helps you to link single or multiple devices using wireless communication within a limited area like home, school, or office building. It gives users an ability to move around within a local coverage area which may be connected to the network. Today most modern day’s WLAN systems are based on IEEE 802.11 standards.

2) Storage-Area Network (SAN)

A Storage Area Network is a type of network which allows consolidated, block-level data storage. It is mainly used to make storage devices, like disk arrays, optical jukeboxes, and tape libraries.

3) System-Area Network

System Area Network is used for a local network. It offers high-speed connection in server-to-server and processor-to-processor applications. The computers connected on a SAN network operate as a single system at quite high speed.

4) Passive Optical Local Area Network

POLAN is a networking technology which helps you to integrate into structured cabling. It allows you to resolve the issues of supporting Ethernet protocols and network apps.

POLAN allows you to use optical splitter which helps you to separate an optical signal from a single-mode optical fiber. It converts this single signal into multiple signals.

5) Home Area Network (HAN):

A Home Area Network is always built using two or more interconnected computers to form a local area network (LAN) within the home. For example, in the United States, about 15 million homes have more than one computer.

These types of network connections help computer owners to interconnect with multiple computers. This network allows sharing files, programs, printers, and other peripherals.

6) Enterprise Private Network :

Enterprise private network (EPN) networks are build and owned by businesses that want to securely connect numerous locations in order to share various computer resources.

7) Campus Area Network (CAN):

A Campus Area Network is made up of an interconnection of LANs within a specific geographical area. For example, a university campus can be linked with a variety of campus buildings to connect all the academic departments.

8) Virtual Private Network:

A VPN is a private network which uses a public network to connect remote sites or users together. The VPN network uses “virtual” connections routed through the internet from the enterprise’s private network or a third-party VPN service to the remote site.

It is a free or paid service that keeps your web browsing secure and private over public WiFi hotspots.

Summary

Types of connections in computer networks can be categorized according to their size as well as their purpose
PAN is a computer network which generally consists of a computer, mobile, or personal digital assistant
LAN (Local Area Network) is a group of computer and peripheral devices which are connected in a limited area
WAN (Wide Area Network) is another important computer network that which is spread across a large geographical area
A metropolitan area network or MAN is consisting of a computer network across an entire city, college campus, or a small region
WLAN is a wireless local area network that helps you to link single or multiple devices using. It uses wireless communication within a limited area like home, school, or office building.
SAN is a storage area network is a type of network which allows consolidated, block-level data storage
System area network offers high-speed connection in server-to-server applications, storage area networks, and processor-to-processor applications
POLAN is a networking technology which helps you to integrate into structured cabling
Home network (HAN) is a always built using two or more interconnected computers to form a local area network (LAN) within the home
Enterprise private network (EPN) networks are build and owned by businesses that want to securely connect various locations
Campus area network (CAN) is made up of an interconnection of LANs in a specific geographical area
A VPN is a private network which uses a public network to connect remote sites or users together
What does LAN stand for? – LAN stands for Local Area Network.
What is the difference between LAN and WAN? – LAN is a computer network that covers a small geographic area, like a home, office, or group of buildings, while WAN is a computer network that covers a broader area.