This document defines and describes different types of computer networks: - Local Area Networks (LANs) connect computers within a building and use addresses within a single range. - Wide Area Networks (WANs) connect multiple LANs across a large geographical area using communication circuits. - Campus Area Networks (CANs) link offices within a school or military base. - Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) serve an intermediate role between LANs and WANs, typically covering an area the size of a city.

1. COMPUTER CONCEPT ASSIGNMNET 2
Types of Networking

2. Types of Networking
A network is a set of technologies (including hardware, software, a d cabling or some other
means) that can used to connect computers together, enabling them to communicate, exchange
information and share resources in real time. Networks allow many users to access shared data
and programs instantly. They types of networks are listed below:
LAN (Local Area Network)
It is a network of computers that are relatively near
each other and are connected in a way that enables
them to communicate. A LAN can consist of just 2-3
PCs connected together to share resources or it can
include hundreds of computers of different kinds. Any
network that exist within a building is considered a
LAN. All hosts on a LAN have addresses that fall in a
single continuous and contiguous range. LANs usually
do not contain routers.
WAN (Wide Area Network)
The term Wide Area Network (WAN) usually refers to a network which covers a large
geographical area, and use communications circuits to connect the intermediate nodes. It is
typically a network where 2 or more LANs are connected together. A major factor impacting
WAN design and performance is a requirement that they lease communications circuits from
telephone companies or other communications carriers. Numerous WANs have been
constructed, including public packet networks, large
corporate networks, military networks, banking networks,
stock brokerage networks, and airline reservation
networks. Some WANs are very extensive, spanning the
globe, but most do not provide true global coverage.
Organisations supporting WANs using the Internet
Protocol are known as Network Service Providers (NSPs).
These form the core of the Internet.

3. CAN (Campus Area Network)
An interconnection of local-area
networks within a limited
geographical space, such as a
school campus or a military base.
With a CAN, different campus
offices and organizations can be
linked together.
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
A MAN is a relatively new class of network, it serves a role similar to an ISP, but for corporate
users with large LANs. There are three important features which discriminate MANs from LANs
or WANs:
The network size falls intermediate
between LANs and WANs. A MAN
typically covers an area of between 5
and 50 km diameter. Many MANs
cover an area the size of a city,
although in some cases MANs may
be as small as a group of buildings or
as large as the North of Scotland.
A MAN often acts as a high speed
network to allow sharing of regional resources (similar to a large LAN). It is also
frequently used to provide a shared connection to other networks using a link to a WAN.
A MAN (like a WAN) is not generally owned by a single organisation. The MAN, its
communications links and equipment are generally owned by either a consortium of
users or by a single network provider who sells the service to the users. This level of
service provided to each user must therefore be negotiated with the MAN operator, and
some performance guarantees are normally specified.

4. Client/Server Network
A computer network in which one centralized,
powerful computer (called the server) is a hub
to which many less powerful personal
computers or workstations (called clients) are
connected. The clients run programs and
access data that are stored on the server.
Compare peer-to-peer network.
Server-based Network
It is a type of network where majority of the the network uses one server. A server is especially
designated computer that acts as a controlling machine for the network. The other computers
known as clients, connect directly or indirectly to it.
Peer-to-peer Network
In its simplest form, a peer-to-peer (P2P) network is created when two or more PCs are
connected and share resources without going through a separate server computer. A P2P
network can be an ad hoc connection—a couple of computers connected via a Universal Serial
Bus to transfer files. A P2P network also can be a permanent infrastructure that links a halfdozen computers in a small office
over copper wires. Or a P2P
network can be a network on a
much grander scale in which
special protocols and
applications set up direct
relationships among users over
the Internet.