Computer Networks

 

What is a Computer Network- A network should be defined as a group of computers or we can also say a particular group of nodes connected together. They should be connected to one another by a specific communication path.

Types of Networks:

(1.)          Local Area Network (LAN) - It connects a group of nodes or computers covering a small physical area. LAN’s are most commonly seen in offices, buildings, Malls, Hospitals etc. LAN’s are enable for higher transfer rate of data, smaller coverage of area and hence less wiring. The normal transfer speed in a particular LAN is between 10 kbps- 100mbps.

(2.)        Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) – It works in the area covered less than 100 miles. It covers the transfer of data between the offices, malls, and hospitals, colleges etc. located in a small city or town. The complete command over the MAN network is owned by one network service provider.

(3.)        Wide Area Network (WAN) - It connects a group of nodes or computers covering a wide area. WAN typically connects and allow communication between regions or national boundaries through the help of microwave signals rely or by using satellites. The most common example of WAN is internet.

(4.)  Extranet - It is a network which is limited within a particular organization. It can be categorized as WAN, MAN etc. however; it cannot have a single LAN. It must have a connection (at least one) with an external network. 

(5.)      Internet – It is basically a type of normal network in which different computers or nodes are connected to each other using a specific communication technique.

(6.)  Virtual Private Network (VPN) – It connects or links different computer or nodes in a larger area through the help of some open connections or virtual circuits in a particular larger network (e.g., the Internet) instead of by the help of physical wires. It is used for secure communication between two nodes through the public internet. VPN alone may not support explicit security features, such as authentication or content encryption for security point of view.

(7.)       Personal Area Network (PAN) – It is a type of computer network used for interconnecting the electronic peripheral devices in an individual workspace. It transfers data between laptops and tablets, laptops and personal computers, tablets and personal computers, personal digital assistants and laptops, Smartphone’s and laptops or personal computers. It may be wireless or can transfer data by USB.

(8.)        Intranet – It is a set of different networks which is under the control of a single administrative person or computer. It can be considered as an internal network of an organization. If it is large, web servers are used to provide information to the users.