This document discusses different types of computer networks and network topologies. It describes personal area networks (PANs), local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), and wide area networks (WANs) based on their size and coverage area. Various network topologies are also outlined, including bus, ring, star, mesh, and tree topologies. The document provides details on the characteristics and properties of each network type and topology.

1. Types of
network and
topologies
Arjun Katiyar

2. • A computer network is telecommunications network that allows
computer to exchange data.
• The physical connection between network computing devices is
established using either cable media or wireless media.
• The best known computer network is the internet.

3. Bases on the size and coverage area, network are characterized
in following types
• Personal area network (PAN)
• Local area network (LAN)
• Metropolitan area network (MAN)
• Wide area network (WAN)

4. Personal area network, or PAN, is a computer network that enables communication
between computer devices near a person.
• A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network used for communication among
computer and different information technological devices close to one person.
• A pan may include wired and wireless devices.
• The reach of a pan typically extends to 10 meters.

5. A local area network (LAN) is a collection of devices connected
together in one physical location, such as a building, office, or
home.
A local area network (LAN) is a network that connects
computers and devices in a limited geographical area such as
a home, school, office building, or closely positioned group of
buildings.
• Each computer or device on the network is a node.
• Wired LANs are most likely based on Ethernet technology.

6. A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a computer network
that connects computers within a metropolitan area, which
could be a single large city, multiple cities and towns, or any
given large area with multiple buildings.
• It is relatively larger than LAN and extends across city or a
metropolitan.
• It is created by connecting two or more LANs located at
different locations in a city.

7. A wide-area network is a computer network that connects
smaller networks.
• A wide area network (WAN) is a computer network that
covers a large geographic area such as a city, country, or
spans even intercontinental distances.
• A WAN uses a communications channel that combines
many types of media such as telephone lines, cables, and
air waves.
• A WAN often makes use of transmission facilities provided
by common carriers, such as telephone companies.

8. The arrangement of a network that comprises nodes and connecting lines via sender and
receiver is referred to as network topology.
A Network Topology is the arrangement with which computer systems or network devices
are connected to each other. Topologies may define both physical and logical aspect of the
network. Both logical and physical topologies could be same or different in a same network

9. • Bus Topology.
• Ring Topology.
• Star Topology.
• Mesh Topology.
• Tree Topology.

10. All devices share single communication line
or cable. Bus topology may have problem
while multiple hosts sending data at the
same time.

11. In ring topology, each host machine
connects to exactly two other machines,
creating a circular network structure.

12. All hosts in Star topology are connected to
a central device, known as hub device,
using a point-to-point connection.

13. In this type of topology, a host is connected
to one or multiple hosts.This topology has
hosts in point-to-point connection with every
other host or may also have hosts which are
in point-to-point connection to few hosts only.

14. Also known as Hierarchical Topology, this
is the most common form of network
topology in use presently. This topology
imitates as extended Star topology and
inherits properties of bus topology.

15. Main benefits of networks include:
File sharing - you can easily share data between different users, or access it remotely if you
keep it on other connected devices.
Resource sharing - using network-connected peripheral devices like printers, scanners and
copiers, or sharing software between multiple users, saves money.
Sharing a single internet connection - it is cost-efficient and can help protect your systems if
you properly secure the network.
Increasing storage capacity - you can access files and multimedia, such as images and music,
which you store remotely on other machines or network-attached storage devices.