There are different types of computer networks that vary in size and connectivity. Local area networks (LANs) interconnect devices over small geographic areas using cables and operate at speeds from 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Metropolitan area networks (MANs) connect computers within a city up to 100 km using various hardware and media. Wide area networks (WANs) are the largest type, connecting thousands of computers across countries or continents through systems like telephone networks and satellites, transferring data at rates from 1200 bps to 2 Mbps.

1. TYPES OF NETWORK

2. COMPUTER NETWORKS Combination of two or more computers Connected through cable/ other media Interconnected collection of autonomous computers

3. PRIMARY GOALS OF COMPUTER NETWORK Communication – enables passing of information between users Reliability - operations can be continued despite hardware problems Resource sharing- facilitates sharing of hardware and software resources Scalability - ability to increase computing capacity by adding more computers

4. LOCAL AREA NETWORK- LAN Interconnects devices over a geographically small area up to a maximum of 1km Connected by a single cable structure Distinguished by their size, technology and topology Operate at speeds of 10mbps to 1gbps

5. METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK- MAN Connects computers within a city up to 100km Hardware and transmission media used depends on the usage Data and voice based exchange can be done

6. WIDE AREA NETWORK- WAN Collection of thousands of computers hosts) across a country or a continent Connected through telephone systems, satellite communication etc Data transfer takes place at the rate of 1200bps to 2mbps