Type Of connections for Networking(Cont.)
Based on Scale, Computer
networks can be classified into Local
Area (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) and Wide Area Networks (WAN).
a) Local Area Network (LAN):
LAN stands
for Local Area Network and is usually privately owned. It spans short distances
and connects relatively a small number of computers. It is generally used to
link the devices in a single office, building or campus usually up to few
kilometers in size.
The main use of LAN is to share resources and to exchange
information. LAN can be distinguished from other kinds of networks by three
categories: their size, transmission technology and topology.
In LANs the worst-case transmission time is bounded which
means they are restricted in size. It simplifies network management and is more
reliable than MAN and WAN.
b) Metropolitan Area Network
(MAN):
MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network. It spans a small
city or a town and it usually covers the entire city. It can cover an area of
100 Km or so. It is owned and operated by either a private company or a service
provided by a public company.
Through MAN resources can be shared through a single network
as a cable TV network or it may use means to connect a number of LANs into a
larger network. For example, a company can use a MAN to connect the LANs in all
its offices in a city.
c) Wide Area Network
(WAN):
It usually connects two or more LAN’s, generally across long
geographical distances. WAN provides long-distance transmission of data, voice,
image and information over large geographical areas that may comprise a
country, continent or even the whole world. A WAN referred to as enterprise network
is generally owned and used by a single company.
Also WANs utilizes public, leased or private communication
devices and is therefore able to span an unlimited number of miles.
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