A computer network is a group of two or more computers connected together for the purpose of sharing resources such as data, printers, and hard drives. Networks can be classified based on their size and the geographical area they cover.
There are several types-
LAN (Local Area Network)
A (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 applications. 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.
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
A Metropolitan Area Network or MAN consists of a computer network across an entire city, college campus, or a small region. This type of network is larger 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
WAN ( Wide Area Network)
A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large geographical area such as states or countries.
A Wide Area Network is quite a bigger network than the LAN.
A Wide Area Network is not limited to a single location, but it spans over a large geographical area through a telephone line, fiber optic cable or satellite links.
WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)
WLAN 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.
SAN (Storage-Area Network)
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.
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.
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 an optical splitter which helps you to separate an optical signal from a single-mode optical fiber. It converts this single signal into multiple signals.
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.
Enterprise Private Network
Enterprise private network (EPN) networks are built and owned by businesses that want to securely connect numerous locations in order to share various computer resources.
VPN (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.
