What Is a Computer Network?

A computer network is a connection between two or more network devices, like

computers, routers, and switches, to share network resources.

The establishment of a computer network depends on the requirements of the

communication channel, i.e., the network can be wired or wireless.

Types of Networks

According to the communication requirements, multiple types of network connections

are available. The most basic type of network classification depends on the network's
geographical coverage.
Below mentioned are different types of networks:

• PAN (Personal Area Network)

• LAN (Local Area Network)

• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

• WAN (Wide Area Network)

What Is Local Area Network (LAN)?

The Local Area Network (LAN) is designed to connect multiple network devices and
systems within a limited geographical distance. The devices are connected using
multiple protocols for properly and efficiently exchanging data and services.

Attributes of LAN Network:

• The data transmit speed in the LAN network is relatively higher than the other
network types, MAN and WAN.

• LAN uses private network addresses for network connectivity for data and
service exchange, and it uses cable for network connection, decreasing error
and maintaining data security.

Advantages and Disadvantages of LAN Network

Advantages Disadvantages

Need constant administration of

Transmission of data and services is relatively higher
experienced engineers for
than other network connections.
functioning.

The Network Server acts as a central unit for the whole Probability of leak of sensitive
network. data by LAN administration.

Now let’s move on to the next network type, MAN Network.

What Is Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)?

The Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a network type that covers the network
connection of an entire city or connection of a small area. The area covered by the
network is connected using a wired network, like data cables.

Attributes of MAN Network:

• Network covers an entire town area or a portion of a city.

• Data transmission speed is relatively high due to the installation of optical

cables and wired connections.

Advantages and Disadvantages of MAN Network:

Advantages Disadvantages

High probability of attack from

Provides Full-Duplex data transmission in the network
hackers and cybercriminals due
channel for devices.
to large networks.
 The need for good quality
The network connection area covers an entire city or
hardware and the installation
some parts using the optic cables.
cost is very high.

What Is Wide Area Network (WAN)?

The Wide Area Network (WAN) is designed to connect devices over large distances like
states or between countries. The connection is wireless in most cases and uses radio
towers for communication.

The WAN network can be made up of multiple LAN and MAN networks.

Attributes of WAN Network:

• The speed of the WAN data transfer is lower than in comparison to LAN and
MAN networks due to the large distance covered.
 • The WAN network uses a satellite medium to transmit data between multiple
locations and network towers.

Advantages and Disadvantages of WAN Network:

Advantages Disadvantages

High cost to set up the network

This network covers a high geographical area and is and the Support of experienced
used for large-distance connections. technicians is needed to
maintain the network.

They also use radio towers and connect channels for It is difficult to prevent hacking
users. and debug a large network.

Difference Between LAN, MAN, and WAN

Basis LAN MAN WAN

 Several computers
The WAN
LAN is a network that enables can be connected
network
the communication between to MAN in the
extends to a
many linked devices. It is in same city or
much greater
Meaning charge of establishing separately. It
area. It can link
connections among encompasses a
multiple
neighborhood units, including greater region,
countries
universities and schools. including minor
together.
towns and cities.

MAN can be either

A single
public or private. A
LAN is a private and secured company may
Network lot of businesses
network. Hospitals, schools, not own WAN.
Authority and telephone
offices, etc., can own it. It can be private
companies could
or public.
own them.

MAN provides a WAN provides a

The Internet speed provided
Speed modest Internet slow Internet
through LAN is fast.
connection speed. connection.
 MAN's
WAN
maintenance is
Maintenance LAN maintenance is very easy. maintenance is
easier compared
very difficult.
to LAN.

Congestion is
more in WAN
Congestion is less in the LAN
Congestion It is more in MAN. when compared
network.
to LAN and
MAN.

The bandwidth in LAN is very In MAN, bandwidth WAN bandwidth

Bandwidth
high. is less. is quite limited.

It isn't easy to It is
It is very easy to design a LAN
Designing design a MAN complicated to
network.
network. design WAN.
How to Set Up The Networks?

LAN

Ethernet is the foundation of all existing LANs, whether wired or wireless. Computers
and servers can connect via cables or wirelessly. WiFi Access Points provide wireless
connectivity in combination with a wired network. WAP-enabled devices serve as a link
between PCs and networks. A WAP may connect a hundred or even a thousand wireless
individuals to a network. Servers on a LAN are generally connected by wire.

MAN

A metropolitan area network combines many LANs with a fiber optic as the basis. It
offers services akin to those offered by an internet service provider for broad area
networks. MANs can use microwave or infrared lasers to connect Local Area Networks
wirelessly. MANs are often owned by just one significant organization and are mainly
created for towns or cities to give a high data connection.

WAN

Users and computers in one area may interact with users and computers in other
locations via a WAN, composed of two or more interconnected Local Area Networks or
Metropolitan Area Networks. Computers in a Wide Area Network are linked by public
networks such as phone lines, satellite connections, or leased lines. To extend the
network's capabilities across locations, costly leased lines are usually used to build
WANs. At each end of a leased line, a router is attached.
How Do These Networks Function?

LAN

A local area network is a collection of computers and other technology with a common
communication line or wireless network and, in most cases, the facilities of an
individual server or processor within a limited geographic region. Typically, the server
houses shared data storage and applications for many computer users.

MAN

Multiple LANs are connected by metropolitan area networks using specialized wireless
and wired foundations. A MAN may link to a network exchange point and a local
exchange carrier to offer connections between LANs and instantaneous
communication between the MAN and the open Internet.

WAN

A point to another service that can employ traditional dial-up lines or modems to link the
device to the phone line. Point-to-point WAN service suppliers include both local mobile
phone providers and long-distance operators.

Characteristics of These Networks

LAN

• LANs are simple to construct and maintain.

• To link the LAN networks, a centralized database is needed.

• A private owner owns the network.

MAN

• The geographical region covered exceeds that of LAN.

• Through this network, there is more than one computer connected.

WAN

• WAN covers the biggest region, comparable to a nation.

• WANs can be networked all over the world.

• Through phone lines or satellites, the networks are connected.

Benefits of These Networks

LAN

• Its main advantages are the local area network's rapid, simple setup and low
cost.

• Keeping everything stored on the server safe and secure is done through data
protection.

• LAN model and established ethernet cabling allow a system linked to a LAN to
interact directly at a very high speed.

MAN

• MAN offers more security than WAN and is simpler to deploy.

• Due to MAN's lower resource requirements than WAN, MAN deployment costs
are lower than WAN. It reduces the cost of implementation.
 • MANs may be controlled centrally, making network traffic monitoring and
control easier.

WAN

• WAN has a wide geographical coverage.

• The information connected to every device in the relevant network can be

shared through the WAN network.

Disadvantages of the Networks

LAN

• Local area networks are only utilized in structures since they cannot be used
in larger regions.

• Unauthorized users may access data if the server's equipment is not

appropriately configured and there is a technology issue.

• There are restrictions on how many devices may be connected to LANs.

MAN

• Because of the huge size, it is difficult to safeguard the system from hackers.

• To link MAN from one location to another, extra cables are necessary. MAN
necessitates the use of fiber optic connections, which are relatively costly.

• MAN takes up a lot of space, making managing a big network difficult.

WAN
 • Because WAN networks combine more technologies, they have more security
issues when compared to LAN and MAN networks.

• Because of their enormous geographical coverage, WANs are complex and

convoluted.

• A lot of time must be spent troubleshooting the WAN network.

Some Other Types of Computer Networks

PAN - A personal area network links electronic devices near a user's vicinity. A PAN can
range in size within a few meters. Both wired and wireless PAN network connections
are possible. A PAN's devices may communicate data with one another, but as most
PANs lack a router, they cannot directly access the Internet. On the other hand, a device
within a PAN can be linked to a local area network, which subsequently connects to the
Internet.

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