Type of Computer Network

Network Based on Size-

Basically Network is divided into 4 parts according to the size or area-

1. Local Area Network
2. Metropolitan Area Network
3. Wide Area Network
4. Personal area network

Local Area Network (LAN)-

LAN is used when two or more peripheral devices are connected within a small area, such as a room, office building or school campus. A LAN may be wired, wireless, or a combination of both. A standard wired LAN uses Ethernet to connect devices together. Wireless LANs are typically created using a Wi-Fi Signal. If a router supports both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections it can be used to create a LAN with both wired and wireless devices. Maximum range of LAN can be 1KM. The number of computer in a LAN vary from 2 to 1000. the h/w as well as s/w recourses are shared through LAN.  

Metropolitan Area Network-

It is much larger than a LAN setup and is spread across a city. Since it can cover an entire city, it is called MAN. The cable television network is the best example of MAN. The main purpose of MAN is also to share h/w and s/w resources. The maximum range of MAN can be 50km. The biggest advantage of MAN is the bandwidth of the connecting links i.e. resources shared on the network can be access quickly. Some installation allow multiple users to share the same high speed internet connection, thereby sharing the cost of the service and securing a better quality of service through collective bargaining and economies of scale.

Wide Area Network-

WAN is used when we have two or more computers located at far away places, linked by communication facilities, like telecommunication or satellite signals. The most common example of WAN is mobile phone network.

Personal area network(PAN)-

This type of network is mainly created for an individual person. It consists of computer , a mobile etc. you can use these networks to transfer files including email, photo, music etc. PAN can either be wired or wireless. The range of PAN is 10 meters (about 30 feet). USB and FireWire often link together a wired PAN, while a Wireless PAN typically uses Bluetooth ,or sometimes infrared Connections. Bluetooth PAN are also called PICONETS.

Comparison between LAN, MAN and WAN-

LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN)	METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK (MAN)	WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN)
All devices in LAN connection are within a building	All devices in MAN connection are across buildings or small town	All devices in WAN connection have no geographical boundaries.
Very high speed	Lower speed when compared to the LAN	Speed varies on location of services.
Switches and hubs are used to create a LAN connection	Routers, switches and hubs are used to create a MAN connection	It covers distance via telephone lines, fiber optic cable or satellite links.
LAN uses guided media	MAN uses guided media or unguided media	WAN mainly uses guided media or unguided media