What is a Network?

A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.

TYPES OF NETWORKS AND THEIR USE

Networks differ based on size, connectivity, coverage and design. This guide explores seven common types of networks, including their benefits and use cases

1. Personal area network

A personal area network (PAN) is the smallest and simplest type of network. PANs connect devices within the range of an individual and are no larger than about 10 meters (m).

An example of a wireless PAN is when users connect Bluetooth devices, like wireless headsets, to a smartphone or laptop. Although most PANs are wireless, wired PAN options exist, including USB.

PAN benefits

Portability. Most devices that connect in a PAN are small and can be easily transported.

Affordability. The ability to form a connection between two devices in a PAN without additional wiring is generally less expensive compared to a wired network

Reliability. PANs guarantee stable connectivity between devices, provided that the devices remain within the 10 m range.

Security. PANs don't directly connect to larger networks, but rather to other devices connected to larger networks. The security of a device in a PAN is contingent upon how secure the intermediary device is within the larger overall network.

2. Local area network

A local area network (LAN) is a system where computers and other devices connect to each other in one location. While PANs connect devices around an individual, the scope of a LAN can range from a few meters in a home to hundreds of meters in a large company office.

LAN benefits

Resource sharing. Resource sharing is one of the most important reasons for setting up any network. As more devices connect to each other, they can share more files, data and software among each other.

Secure data storage. Network data is stored in a centralized location that all connected devices can access. Devices must receive permission to access the network, preventing unauthorized users from retrieving sensitive information.

Fast communication. Ethernet cables provide fast, reliable data transmission speeds, which increase the rate of communication between devices.

Seamless communication. Any authorized user can communicate with another on the same network.

Virtual LANs

A virtual LAN (VLAN) is a type of LAN configuration that virtually groups network components into segments. Network administrators create VLANs to operate segments as individual systems, separate from the rest of the LAN. VLANs prevent network congestion by isolating LAN traffic for each segment, in turn improving network performance and efficiency, simplifying network management and increasing security.

3. Metropolitan area network

A metropolitan area network (MAN) is an interconnection of several LANs throughout a city, town or municipality. Like LANs, a MAN can use various wired or wireless connectivity options, including fiber optics, Ethernet cables, Wi-Fi or cellular.

MAN benefits

· Municipal coverage. A MAN can span an entire city or town, stretching network connectivity by dozens of miles.

· Efficient networking standards. MAN configurations typically use IEEE 802.11 networking standards to increase bandwidth capacity and frequency levels, which boost network performance.

· High-speed connectivity. Fiber optic cables are the most popular form of MAN connectivity because they provide safe and fast connection data rates.

Campus network

A campus network, sometimes referred to as a campus area network or CAN, is a network of interconnected, dispersed LANs. Like MANs, campus networks extend coverage to buildings close in proximity. The difference between the two configurations is that campus networks connect LANs within a limited geographical area, while MANs connect LANs within a larger metro area. The geographical range of a campus network varies from 1 kilometer to 5 km, while MANs can extend to 50 km.

Campus benefits

· Affordability. Campus networks cover a smaller geographical area than MANs, so infrastructure costs less to maintain.

· Easy configuration. Compared to MANs, campus networks are easier to set up and manage because there is less ground to cover and fewer devices to support.

Wi-Fi hotspot creation. Universities and other organizations with campus networks may set up free Wi-Fi hotspots in areas with high volume to enable easy network access

Wide area network

A wide area network (WAN) is the most expansive type of computer network configuration. Like a MAN, a WAN is a connection of multiple LANs belonging to the same network. Unlike MANs, however, WANs aren't restricted to the confines of city limits. A WAN can extend to any area of the globe. For example, an organization with a corporate office in New York can connect a branch location in London in the same WAN. Users in both locations obtain access to the same data, files and applications, and can communicate with each other.

WAN benefits

· Large area coverage. WANs provide more expansive connectivity because networks can connect from anywhere in the world.

· Improved performance. WANs use links with dedicated bandwidth to connect LANs together. These links enhance network speeds and provide faster data transfer rates than LANs.

· Increased security. Dedicated links also increase safety across the network because the network only connects to itself, lowering the chances for hackers to hijack a system.

Content delivery network

A content delivery network (CDN) is a network of globally distributed servers that deliver dynamic multimedia content -- such as interactive ads or video content -- to web-based internet users. CDNs use specialized servers that deliver bandwidth-heavy rich media content by caching it and speeding up delivery time.

CDN benefits

· Fast content delivery. The main goal of a CDN is to load rich media content on websites quickly and reduce latency between requests.

· Increased security. When traffic travels through a CDN server, potential viruses attached to data reroute to the server, too. A CDN service mitigates these threats so it can send uncompromised data through the network.

· Improved site performance. Websites managed by CDNs experience less latency and bandwidth limitation issues. Network downtime caused by traffic spikes is also a rare occurrence in websites with CDNs.

Virtual private network

A virtual private network (VPN) creates a private network overlay across an existing public network. VPNs use tunneling protocols that create encrypted connections between the network and client devices. Network traffic travels over the VPN service's secure, encrypted tunnels instead of a public network, effectively hiding a user's IP address and data from ISPs and cybersecurity hackers. The user's location appears to be wherever the VPN server exists.

VPN benefits

· Privacy and anonymity. Users can browse a network without having their activity monitored by an ISP.

· Increased security. Users must receive authentication before gaining access to a VPN. Organizations can secure company data this way by preventing unauthenticated users from accessing sensitive information.

Geo-spoofing. Users connected to VPNs appear to be in the same location as the server, whether in an office building or another country entirely. Users can retrieve company data or gain access to geo-blocked content outside of their country's borders

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

Functioning like a LAN, WLANs make use of wireless network technology, such as Wi-Fi. Typically seen in the same types of applications as LANs, these types of networks don’t require that devices rely on physical cables to connect to the network.

Storage-Area Network (SAN)

As a dedicated high-speed network that connects shared pools of storage devices to several servers, these types of networks don’t rely on a LAN or WAN. Instead, they move storage resources away from the network and place them into their own high-performance network. SANs can be accessed in the same fashion as a drive attached to a server. Types of storage-area networks include converged, virtual and unified SANs.

System-Area Network (also known as SAN)

This term is fairly new within the past two decades. It is used to explain a relatively local network that is designed to provide high-speed connection in server-to-server applications (cluster environments), storage area networks (called “SANs” as well) and processor-to-processor applications. The computers connected on a SAN operate as a single system at very high speeds.