Computer Network – LAN, MAN, WAN, PAN

Computer Network

Computer networks are the basis of communication in IT. They are used in a huge variety of methods and can include various types of networks. A computer network is a set of computer systems that are connected together so that they can share info. The earliest examples of computer networks are from the 1960s, but they have actually come a long way in the half-century ever since.

What is Computer Network?

A network is defined as a group of two or more electronic devices linked to each other. A network can be developed with a small handful of gadgets within a single space to countless devices spread out throughout the whole world. Networks are usually a medium to establish connections between nodes (a group of devices) or computer systems. It can be developed utilizing either wired sources or wireless media.

A computer network is a group of computers linked to each other that makes it possible for the computer system to communicate with another computer system and share their resources, data, and applications.

Types of Computer Network

There are different types of computer networks offered. We can classify them according to their size in addition to their function. The size of a network should be shown by the geographic location and number of computers, which belong to their networks. It consists of devices housed in a single room to millions of devices spread out throughout the world.

LAN(Local Area Network)

Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each other in a small area such as a building, office. LAN is utilized for connecting two or more computers through a communication medium such as twisted pair, coax cable, etc. It is less pricey as it is built with inexpensive hardware such as hubs, network adapters, and ethernet cable televisions. The data is moved at an extremely faster rate in the Local Area Network. Local Area Network provides higher security.

Benefits of LAN

• Computer system resources like hard-disks, DVD-ROM, and printers can share local area networks. This substantially lowers the cost of hardware purchases.
• You can use the same software application over the network instead of acquiring the licensed software application for each client in the network.
• Information of all network users can be stored on a single hard disk of the server computer system.
• It will be simple to manage data in only one place, which makes data more secure.
• Local Area Network offers the center to share a single internet connection among all the LAN users.

Drawbacks of LAN

• LAN will indeed save costs because of shared computer system resources, but the preliminary expense of setting up Local Area Networks is rather high.
• The LAN admin can check individual information files of every LAN user, so it does not provide good privacy.
• Unauthorized users can access important data of an organization in case LAN admin is not able to secure a central information repository.
• Local Area Network needs a continuous LAN administration as there are problems related to software setup and hardware failures.

PAN (Personal Area Network)

PAN is expanded as Personal Area Network is set up in an individual in series of roughly 10 meters and is mainly used for connecting internet range for personal use. It has a protection range of thirty meters. Personal equipment includes desktop, laptop computers, smart devices, video game stations, electronic devices, and music players. There are 2 types of Personal Area Network:

Wireless Personal Area Network:

Wireless Personal Area Network is configured is based upon wireless technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi which fall over a minimal range network.

Wired Personal Area Network:

Wired Personal Area Network is deployed by using USB.

Advantages of PAN

• PAN networks are relatively protected and safe.
• It offers just a short-range option of approximately 10 meters.
• Strictly restricted to a small area.

Disadvantages of PAN

• It might establish a bad connection to other networks at the same radio bands.
• Range limits.

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

Metropolitan Area Network is called MAN which covers huge geographical areas by connecting to different local area networks united to form a large network. The federal government utilizes MAN to connect personal firms and people through sites or applications. In the Metropolitan Area network, different LANs are interconnected through telephone communication technology.

Here mainly telephone cables are utilized to connect LAN to form MAN. The protocols used widely in MAN are Frame Relay, ISDN, ATM, ADSL, and RS-232. MAN is deployed mainly in Airline company booking and establish communication in between banking sectors in a city. It is also deployed in the Military range for effective communications. It can likewise be deployed inside the colleges within that town.

Advantages of MAN

• MAN is used in communication between the banks in a city.
• It can be utilized in an Airline Reservation.
• It can be utilized in a college within a city.
• It can also be used for communication in the armed force.

Disadvantages of MAN

• You require more cable to establish a MAN connection from one place to another.
• In MAN network it is difficult to make the system protected from hackers.

WAN(Wide Area Network)

WideArea Network offers services for the user to connect to wireless utilizing remote or public or private access. The connection is established in a huge geographical variety like a complete city that utilizes the current network structure of mobile operators. The WAN began with a standard of 802.20 and the goal is to attain optimization of Mobile Broadband Wireless Access which is called MBWA. This 802.20 standard stands as a difficult competitor for classical models of 2 G and 3G.

The WWAN effectively made the possibility of superficial voice transfer. It is also measured in GPS, the global positioning system, General Packet Radio Service is called as GPRS, EDGE is abbreviated from enhanced data rates for global evolution, Universal mobile telecommunication system is called UMTS, HSUPA is a high-speed uplink packet and HSPDA is a high-speed downlink packet access.

Benefits of WAN

• WAN assists you to cover a bigger geographical area. For that reason, workplace located at longer distances can easily communicate.
• Contains devices like smartphones, laptop, tablet, computer systems, video gaming consoles, and etc.
• WLAN connections work utilizing radio transmitters and receivers constructed into client devices.

Drawbacks of WAN

• Antivirus: Since our systems are gotten in touch with a large number of systems, there is the possibility that we might unknowingly download the virus that can impact our system and become a danger to our personal privacy and might cause data loss.

Expensive: The cost of setup is extremely high.

Problem resolution: Problem resolution takes time as the WAN covers a large area, it is really difficult to pinpoint the specific location where the problem raised and causing the issue.