TYPES OF NETWORK

TYPES OF NETWORK

Local Area Network (LAN)

Metropolitan Area Network

Wide Area Network (WAN)

LAN (Local Area Network):

A group of computers and other devices dispersed over a relatively limited area and connected by a communications link that enables any device to interact with any other on the network. LANs commonly include microcomputers and shared resources such as laser printers and large hard disks. The devices on a LAN are known as nodes, and the nodes are connected by cables through which messages are transmitted. LAN have data rate in the 4 to 16 Mbps range and can reach 100 Mbps.

Advantages of LAN

• The reliability of network is high because the failure of one computer in the network does not effect the functioning for the other computer.
• Addition of a new computer to network is easy.
• High rate of data transmission is possible.
• Other computers can share peripheral devices like magnetic disk and printer.

Disadvantage of LAN

• Of the communication fail, the entire network system breaks down.
• User authority and user identification is poor.

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network):

Metropolitan Area Network. A high-speed network that can carry voice, data, and images at up to 200 Mbps or faster over distances of up to 75 km. Based on the network architecture, the transmission speed can be higher for shorter distances. A MAN, which can include one or more LANs as well as telecommunications equipment such as microwave and satellite relay stations, is smaller than a WAN but generally operates at a higher speed.

WAN (Wide Area Network):

A communications network that connects geographically separated areas. In the other word the term WAN (Wide area network) is used to describe a computer network spanning a regional, national and global area. It provides long-distance transmission of data, voice, image, and video information over a large geographical area that may comprise a country, a continent or even the world wide.