There are four main types of computer networks: 1) Personal area networks (PANs) connect devices within 10 meters and include laptops and mobile devices. 2) Local area networks (LANs) connect computers within 1 km, such as within offices, schools, and small areas. 3) Metropolitan area networks (MANs) connect devices within a large city or multiple cities using high-speed fiber optic cables. 4) Wide area networks (WANs) connect local networks over large geographic areas and are used widely in business, education, and government.

1. Notes On
‘Classification Of Computer Networks’
Submitted to
Pranab Bandhu Nath
Senior Lecturer
Dept. Of CSE
City University
Submitted by
Md. Mizanur Rahman
1834902576
49th

2. Classification Of Computer Networks:
What is computer network?
A computer network can be defined as , a set of computers linked together to share
resources. It can be done by internet , printer or through a file server.
There are four kinds of computer networks. They are:
i)PAN
ii)LAN
iii)MAN
iv)WAN
 Personal Area Network (PAN):
 It can cover an area of up to 10 meters.
 It includes devices used for personal purposes .
 It includes devices like: Laptop, Mobile etc

3. Advantage:
 Low cost
 Can make connection to many devices at a time
 It is easy portable
Disadvantage:
 Can’t cover huge area
 Data transfer rate is slow
 Local Area Network(LAN):
 It can cover up to 1km distance .
 This network is used for making connection in a group of
networks within a limited area.
 It is very useful in places like offices , schools and in small area

4. Advantage:
 Its setup process is easy.
 It needs low cost
 It is easy portable.
 Ones doesn’t need much technical skill to use it
Disadvantage:
 Its range is not much big.
 Devices are not correlative with each other.
Metropolitan Area Network(MAN):
 A MAN network can cover a large city, multiple cities or any
specific big area.
 It communication speed is very fast as it passes through high
speed carriers like, fiber optic cable.

5. Advantage:
 High Speed
 High Security
 It can share internet to multiple users
Disadvantage:
 It’s difficult to manage
 Risk of hacker’s attack
 It’s expensive
 Wide Area Network(WAN):
 It’s widely used in business ,education and government work.
 It is a connection of set of LAN networks through repeater.
 All can access shared files via WAN network.

6. Advantage:
 It covers a huge area world wide
 Files and data always remain updated
 Its bandwidth is high
 Businesses, education and many officials jobs are world widely by WAN
Disadvantages:
 Its structure is very complex
 Expensive Network structure
 High risk of being attacked by hackers