Types of Communication Networks
Communication Networks can be of following 5 types:
1. Local Area Network (LAN)
2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
3. Wide Area Network (WAN)
4. Wireless
5. Inter Network (Internet)
1 ) Local Area Network (LAN)
In this computer network all the computer is interconnects within a limited area.Network in an residence, school, collage campus are the example of Local Area Network (LAN).LAN is widely used network as it is easy to configure and manage. Personal computers and workstations are connected to each other through LANs.
Computer within the network in LAN can share the files and network devices like printer and communicate with each other.
2 ) 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).
It can be over the entire city. It is simply a very large LAN.
It can be cover upto 50 km,which used optical fibers and cables etc.
Communication medium used for MAN are optical fibers, cables etc.It can connect one place to another
3 ) Wide Area Network (WAN)
WAN can be used to connect large distance may be state or a country together.It cab private or public leased connection.WAN used PSTN or Satellite links for communication medium.
Its extended large area such as states, countries, continents.
We can transfer data, picture, sounds and videos in a very quickly time.
Set up can be expensive as it is very big network also we need a firewall to security reason.
4 ) Wireless Network
Wireless Networks can be divided into three main categories:
1. System interconnection
2. Wireless LANs
3. Wireless WANs
System Interconnection
It is short range radio connection,where device is connected to each other in an very small distance. Bluetooth is an example of system interconnection. Device like keyboard, mouse and printer are connected with main unit, without wires.
Wireless LANs
It is wireless connection in which two or more device is communicating with each other without using cable.The area may be with home , school or building.Wire less device sch as wireless router is used to connecting device within the network.
Wireless WANs
System are connected wirelessly to provide service to a large geographic area.
4 ) Inter Network
It is a combination of two or more networks. Inter network can be formed by joining two or more individual networks by means of various devices such as routers, gateways and bridges.
