A network connects two or more computers through various methods to share resources, files, and communication. There are several types of networks including LAN, WAN, MAN, CAN, and PAN that differ in size and scope. A LAN connects computers and devices within a building through switches, routers and cables. LANs were initially developed for universities and research facilities in the 1960s. A WAN spans a larger geographic area than a LAN by connecting multiple LANs and MANs to allow communication between locations.

2. NETWORKING
A network consists of two or more
computers that are linked in order to share
resources (such as printers and CDs),
exchange files, or allow electronic
communications. The computers on
a network may be linked through cables,
telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or
infrared light beams.

3. TYPES OF NETWORK
O MAN- ( Metropolitan Area Network)
O WAN – ( Wide Area Network)
O CAN- (Campus/Cluster Area Network)
O PAN- ( Personal Area Network)
O LAN – (Local Area Network)

4. LAN – ( Local Area Network)
O A LAN comprises cables, access points, switches, routers,
and other components that enable devices to connect to
internal servers, web servers, and other LANs via wide area
networks.
O The rise of virtualization has also fueled the development of
virtual LANs, which enable network administrators to
logically group network nodes and partition their networks
without a need for major infrastructure changes.
O For example, in an office with multiple departments, such as
accounting, IT support, and administration, each
department's computers could be logically connected to the
same switch but segmented to behave as if they are
separate.
O LANs were developed in the 1960s for use by colleges,
universities, and research facilities (such as NASA),
primarily to connect computers to other computers. It
wasn't until the development of Ethernet technology (1973,
at Xerox PARC), its commercialization (1980), and its
standardization (1983) that LANs started to be used widely.

6. MAN-(Metropolitan Area Network)
O A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a network that
interconnects users with computer resources in a
geographic area or region larger than that covered by
even a large local area network (LAN) but smaller than
the area covered by a wide area network (WAN). The
term is applied to the interconnection of networks in a
city into a single larger network (which may then also
offer efficient connection to a wide area network). It is
also used to mean the interconnection of several local
area networks by bridging them with backbone lines. The
latter usage is also sometimes referred to as a campus
network.
O Examples of metropolitan area networks of various sizes
can be found in the metropolitan areas of London,
England; Lodz, Poland; and Geneva, Switzerland. Large
universities also sometimes use the term to describe
their networks. A recent trend is the installation of
wireless MANs.

8. WAN-(Wide Area Network)
O A wide area network (WAN) is a network that
exists over a large-scale geographical area, as
compared to other network types, such as a
local area network (LAN).
O A WAN connects different smaller networks,
including local area networks (LANs) and metro
area networks (MANs), so that computers and
users in one location can communicate with
computers and users in other locations. WAN
implementation can be done through either a
public transmission system or a private network.
O In many ways, a WAN works in a similar
fashion to a LAN, just on a larger scale.
Typically, TCP/IP is the protocol used for a
WAN, in combination with devices such as
routers, switches, firewalls and modems.

10. CAN-(Cluster/Campus Area Network)
O A campus area network (CAN) is a network of multiple
interconnected local area networks (LAN) in a limited geographical
area. A CAN is smaller than a wide area network (WAN) or
metropolitan area network (MAN).
O A CAN is also known as a corporate area network (CAN).
O CAN benefits are as follows:
O Cost-effective
O Wireless, versus cable
O Multidepartmental network access
O Single shared data transfer rate (DTR)
O The following are examples of CAN implementations:
O Stanford University's SUNet network
O Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Project Athena

12. PAN-(Personal Area Network)
O A personal area network (PAN) refers to the
interconnection of information technology devices or
gadgets within the environment of an individual user
(typically within 10 meters or 33 feed).
These interconnected devices might include laptop
computers, PDAs, cellphones, printers, PCs or other
wearable computer devices.
Also known as a wireless personal network (WPAN).
Thomas Zimmerman of the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) Media Lab is credited with the initial
PAN concept, which was later developed by IBM’s
Almaden Research Lab.

15. NETWORKING:-
Advantages Disadvantages
O Central Storage of
Data
O Anyone can connect to
a computer network
O Faster Problem solving
O Reliability
O It is highly flexible
O Security through
Authorization
O It boosts storage
capacity
O Too much sitting
O Carpal tunnel and eye
strain
O Short attention span
and too much
multitasking.
O Potential of loss of
privacy
O Can limit learning and
create a dependency
O Time sink and lots of
distractions
O Can reduce jobs