The document explains four types of networks: PAN (Personal Area Network), LAN (Local Area Network), MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), and WAN (Wide Area Network), detailing their definitions, advantages, and disadvantages. It highlights various network topologies like bus, star, ring, and mesh, providing scenarios for their application based on specific needs. Additionally, it discusses essential networking devices such as modems, routers, switches, hubs, and servers, explaining their role in facilitating communication within networks.

1. PAN, LAN, MAN, WAN
By Zach and Salah 9BA

2. PAN (Personal Area Network)
PAN is a small network that interconnects
technology devices within a limited range of just a
few meters. This type of network is designed to
enable devices in an office environment to
communicate and share resources, data and
applications either wired or wirelessly.

3. LAN (Local Area Network)
A local area network (LAN) is defined as a
connected environment spanning one or more
building (Normally in a 1 kilometer radius) that
links computing devices within close proximity of
each other by using ethernet and Wi-Fi
technology.

4. WAN (Wide Area Network)
WAN (Wide Area Network) is a large network of
information that is not tied to a single location.
WANs can facilitate communication, the
sharing of information and much more
between devices from around the world
through a WAN provider.

5. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
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.

6. Advantages and Disadvantages of PAN, LAN, WAN, MAN
Advantages Disadvantage
s
PAN
LAN
WAN
MAN

7. Advantages and Disadvantages of LAN
Advantages:
- Simple and reasonable cost: The primary benefit of the local
area network is that is immediate and easy to set up and also
its price is minimum.
- LAN allows for the sharing of software programs, allowing for
a single licensed program to be used by any device on the
network, eliminating the need for costly licenses.
- Data protection ensures secure storage of information on
servers, allowing quick updates or removal of data on a single
computer, ensuring access to new information for other
devices.
- The LAN-connected system offers high-speed direct
communication through ethernet cabling and LAN models,
with the most common speeds being 10Mbps, 100Mbps, and
1000Mbps.
Disadvantages:
- Local area networks are exclusively used in buildings or
apartment complexes and cannot be used in larger areas.
- Information security vulnerability created: A technological
error could allow unauthorised users to get data from the
server equipment if it is not programmed appropriately.
Problems like server privacy come up.
- Data sharing via external source: Since transportable
media, such as CDs and pen drives, cannot be conveniently
used on all networked computers, sending files from
outside the network is challenging and time-consuming.
- Maintenance and management: To guarantee optimum
operation, LANs need to have regular maintenance and
management. This may be expensive and time-consuming.

8. Network Topologies
Topology
- Logical layout of wires and equipment
- Choice Effects
- Network performance
- Network size
- Network collision detection

9. Network Topologies
Bus Topology
- Also called linear bus
- One wire connects all nodes
- Terminator ends the wires
Advantages:
- Easy to set up
- Small amount of wire
Disadvantages:
- Slow
- Easy to crash

10. Mesh Topology
Network setup where each computer and network device is interconnected with one another.
Advantages of Topology:

11. Scenario 1:
A research laboratory needs a group of three computers connected together to share resources.
The network will be temporary because it is for a short experiment. The computers will be in a
secure room and each user will have access to each computer, this means data transfer security
isn't a high priority. The majority of the scientists' funding has been spent on the experiments so
there are very limited funds to create this network
Answer:
They should use a bus topology as it is simpler to set up and it is for a short experiment and the
networks doesn’t need to be that complex.

12. Scenario 2:
A homeowner is building their dream house. There are four bedrooms and two offices in the new
home. The homeowner wants a stable connection from each room to a central location. The
central location will also be connected to the internet and a printer. The homeowner doesn't
require a direct connection from room to room but would like the ability to connect through the
central location on occasion when the family might want to shore photographs or videos with
each other through the network. They have a reasonable budget but want to avoid any
unnecessary costs. The homeowner
Answer: Star topology because the homeowner needs the network to be in a central location in
the house

13. Scenario 3:
A new tech startup company has an office space that currently requires 20 users to be connected
to a network. There will be a mixture of laptops and desktop computers. They also require
shared, high-speed internet access and a shared laser printer. The network must be fast and
stable. It should also be easy to add new devices to the network without having to shutdown the
network or compromise on stability and speed. Users of the network will need to be in constant
contact with other users in the network through an internal messaging system, this must be fast
and reliable to increase productivity The tech company has two wealthy backers and they have
an excellent budget for setting up their network.
Answer: Ring Topology

14. Scenario 4:
A small printing company has been using stand alone computers (computers not connected to a
network) for several decades. They have five computers and three industrial printers. They would
like to upgrade their IT infrastructure to enable all computers on the network to share a
connection with the printers. They also want the ability to share an internet connection and to
send data to other computers on the network. The network will be in a secured location and not
accessible to the public. transfer must be fast because they will be sending large amounts of
data to the industrial printers. They also would like the option to expand the network in the
future they need to. The company doesn't have a large budget for this project.
Answer: Mesh Topology because the printing company wants all the data to transfer fast.

15. How do these devices aid in the flow of communication in a network?
-Modem: modems are essential for enabling devices to communicate with each other and access the internet, serving as the bridge
between digital devices and analog transmission mediums.
-Router: routers are essential for managing and directing data traffic within and between networks, ensuring that devices can
communicate effectively and securely.
4o mini:routers manage data traffic, enhance security, and facilitate communication between devices and networks.
-Switch: switches improve communication within a network by managing data flow, reducing congestion, and enhancing performance.
-Hub :A hub is a networking device that connects multiple computers or other network devices together.
-Printer: prints and farts
-Computer: computers are essential for generating, processing, and communicating data within a network, enabling various
applications and services that connect users and devices.
-Server: