In today’s world, we are connected through a mesh of networks. From printing, surfing, accessing the internet, and even downloading files. Networks are used everywhere they have become the backbone of our businesses and the digital world today. Show
Computers are connected through various devices such as NIC(Network Interface Card), Switch, Routers, etc. In this article, we are going to learn about the various types of networks with their advantages and disadvantages.
What is a Network?Network means linking two or more computers, and various peripheral devices for resource sharing such as files, internet sharing, etc. The best example is the internet which connects millions of people all over the world. What is a Computer Network?Computer Network links two or more computing devices and the computing hardware through various communication channels (i.e. cables, telephone lines, radio waves, wifi, etc.) for data and resource sharing. For example, Bluetooth connection to transfer files, a hotspot for sharing the internet, etc. A network could be small, inclusive of only one system, or as large as one may need. Need for Computer Network
Types Of Computer NetworksThere are various types of computer networks categorized by their size.
Personal Area Network(PAN)It is the smallest and most basic type of computer network. The size of PAN varies from centimeters to 30 meters. PAN network can be classified into two types
Examples of PAN are – USB, Computer, Bluetooth, etc. Advantages Of PAN are-
Disadvantages Of PAN are-
Local Area Network (LAN)LAN can be defined as a cluster of computers connected at a single physical location such as an office, building, etc. It is the most common type of network used. A LAN can also be formed with two computers connected over a network. Hub, Switches, Cables, and Optical fibers are used to connect various computers and devices to a network. Examples of LAN are
networking in a home, school, college, office, etc. Advantages Of LAN are-
Disadvantages Of LAN are-
Wide Area Network (WAN)A WAN is a type of computer network that covers a large geographical area. WAN is also defined as the connection of several LANs linked together to cover an entire city or country. The WAN network is provided via several methods such as telephone lines, fiber optics cable, and also through satellite links. Advantages Of WAN are-
Disadvantages Of WAN are-
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)WLAN functions like WAN but without cables i.e, these are wireless. WLAN allows devices to connect wireless and it follows a standard called IEEE 802.11. WLAN connects laptops, smartphones, personal digital assistants, desktop computers, printers, etc. It is easy to install and use. Advantages Of WLAN are-
Disadvantages Of WLAN are-
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)This type of network is created by linking existing LAN networks to cover a large geographical area. MAN is smaller than LAN but larger than WAN. Examples of MAN are networking in government agencies, airports, libraries, etc. Advantages Of MAN are-
Disadvantages Of MAN are-
Storage Area Network(SAN)This network is good for small businesses. SAN network comprises various switches, storage devices, and storage elements that are
interconnected with each other. SAN network does not depend upon LAN or WAN networks. Advantages Of SAN are-
Disadvantages Of SAN are-
System-Area Network (SAN)SAN is a conglomeration of networks designed for high-speed interconnection in (server-server) mode. It uses fiber optics to establish this fast connection. Examples of SAN are Fiber channels, etc. Advantages Of SAN are-
Disadvantages Of SAN are-
Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)POLAN functions in a similar way to LAN. It uses optical splitter instead of electrical powered switches to separate and collect optical signals and is based on point to multipoint architecture. Examples of POLAN are networking in medium-size companies, hospitals, hotels, etc. Advantages Of POLAN are-
Disadvantages Of POLAN are-
Enterprise Private Network (EPN)This is a type of private network mostly owned by businesses who want to connect their various branches to share computer resources. Examples of EPN are communication between the head and remote offices, connecting various branches of a parent company, etc. Advantages Of EPN are-
Disadvantages Of EPN are-
Virtual Private Network (VPN)A VPN is a private network that connects remote users or sites using a public network. A VPN uses tunneling or virtual point-to-point connection technology to connect which creates a secure connection between the users or sites having the same IP address. Advantages Of VPN are-
Disadvantages Of VPN are-
Home Area Network (HAN)HAN is used to share various computers or peripheral devices used in the same home. There is one device that acts as a centralized device for the function of Network Address Translation(NAT). Examples of HAN are printers, game systems, tablets, WiFi, etc. Advantages Of HAN are-
Disadvantages Of HAN are-
Computer networks can be described based on their sizes and purpose. The most widely used computer networks are LAN, WAN, MAN, and PAN. We have covered here various types of networks with their advantages and disadvantages. Thanks for reading. Kuldeep is the founder and lead author of ArtOfTesting. He is skilled in test automation, performance testing, big data, and CI-CD. He brings his decade of experience to his current role where he is dedicated to educating the QA professionals. You can connect with him on LinkedIn. When we connect two or more computers in a small area then it is known as?When two or more computers are connected together so they can communicate with one another, they form a network.
Which type of network connects devices of a room or an office building?A local area network, or LAN, consists of a computer network at a single site, typically an individual office building. A LAN is very useful for sharing resources, such as data storage and printers.
What is the type of network which is connected in a small area like a building or a floor?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.
What type of network connects 2 or more devices in the same building?Local area network. A local area network (LAN) is a system where computers and other devices connect to each other in one location.
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