Different types of Computer Networks

A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection

of computers and devices interconnected by communications channels that
facilitate communications and allows sharing of resources and information among
interconnected devices. Networks may be classified according to a wide variety of
characteristics such as medium used to transport the data, communications
protocol used, scale, topology, organizational scope, etc. Examples of different
network scales are: A local area network (LAN), which is usually a small network
constrained to a small geographic area. An example of a LAN would be a
computer network within a building.

A metropolitan area network (MAN), which is used for medium-sized area

such as city or a state. A wide area network (WAN), which is a network covering a
large geographic area. Importance of LANs, MANs & WANsOne early solution was
the creation of local-area network (LAN) standards which provided an open set of
guidelines for creating network hardware and software, making equipment from
different companies compatible.
A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that connects computers and devices in a
limited geographical area such as home, school, computer laboratory or office building. The
defining characteristics of LANs, in contrast to wide area networks (WANs), include their usually
higher data-transfer rates, smaller geographic area, and lack of a need for leased
telecommunication lines.

A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a hybrid between a LAN and a WAN. Like a WAN, it connects two
or more LANs in the same geographic area. A MAN, for example, might connect two different buildings
or offices in the same city. However, whereas WANs typically provide low- to medium-speed access,
MANs provide high-speed connections, such as T1 (1.544Mbps) and optical services. The optical services
provided include SONET (the Synchronous Optical Network standard) and SDH (the Synchronous Digital
Hierarchy standard). With these optical services, carriers can provide high-speed services, including ATM
and Gigabit Ethernet. These two optical services provide speeds ranging into the hundreds or thousands
of megabits per second (Mbps). Devices used to provide connections for MANs include high-end routers,
ATM switches, and optical switches. Typical MAN
A wide area network (WAN) is a computer network that covers a broad area (i.e.,
any network whose communications links cross metropolitan, regional, or
national boundaries). This is in contrast with personal area networks (PANs), local
area networks (LANs), campus area networks (CANs), or metropolitan area
networks (MANs) which are usually limited to a room, building, campus or specific
metropolitan area (e.g., a city) respectively.

Computers connected to a wide-area network are often connected through public

networks, such as the telephone system. They can also be connected through
leased lines or satellites. The largest WAN in existence is the Internet.