Introduction to different types of networks based on scope? Concept of PAN, LAN, MAN, WAN network and differences between them?

Types of Networks Based on Distance

Types of computer networks according to the extent: Based on the location of the computers used in the network system, that is, depending on the geographical extent, computer networks are mainly divided into four parts; namely--

(i) Personal Area Network or PAN (PAN)

(ii) Local Area Network or LAN (LAN)

(iii) Metropolitan Area Network or MAN (MAN)

(v) Wide Area Network or WAN.

PAN, LAN, MAN and WAN 

-- Personal Area Network or PAN: The full name of PAN is Personal Area Network. A system of personal devices near a person is called a Personal Area Network or PAN. However, devices connected to the network may not be private. Pans are typically several meters (10 m) wide. Pan can be connected by USB Bus and Fireware Bus. Among the devices used in PAN are laptops, PDAs, mobiles, printers etc.

-- Local Area Network or LAN: If one or more computers are networked in a specific building or campus, then it will be known as a Local Area Network. Its abbreviation is LAN. A LAN may consist of all computers located on the same floor of a building, or computers on adjacent floors of a company's building may belong to the LAN. This network is used in small-medium, office-court and business trade. Its main purpose is to share information and resources between devices. Small-medium offices can save on devices such as printers, modems, scanners, etc. by creating a LAN. Devices are usually connected to a LAN using inexpensive cables. In a local area network, devices are usually connected through a hub.

Features of Local Area Network:

(i) These networks are used in small areas, eg within the same building.

(ii) provides access to multiple devices;

(iii) Such networks use special devices suitable for LANs like repeaters, hubs, network interface cards etc.

(iv) The size of the workstation depends mainly on the software.

((v) High data transmission speed.

(vi) Coaxial cable, twisted pair cable, and optical fibre cable are used as media.

(vii) Generally used for establishing networks over short distances. But distance can be increased by using the repeater.

Advantages of LAN:

(i) A LAN usually has a central computer. With this the workstations or in this case both computers are self-contained.

(ii) Use of readily available programs and low-cost peripherals.

(iii) Part of the work can be done on the server and the rest on the workstation as required. As a result, the work structure is faster and costs less.

(iv) Assists server workstations in complex tasks.

(v) Network deployment and maintenance procedures are simple and less expensive.

(vi) Data Error is reduced.

Disadvantages of LAN :

(i) Normally LANs cannot be established at a distance of more than 1 km.

(ii) Number of workstations is less.

-- Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): A metropolitan area network is a combination of several LAN networks, spanning an entire city or large area. In this case, the LANs are in the same city. Through such networks. Different networks can share their data at very high speeds. This network is mainly used in various government offices. In a local area network, various devices are directly connected to the network, but in a metropolitan area network, each site is connected to the network. This usually involves using cables installed by the telephone company or installing new cables.

Characteristics of Metropolitan Area Network:

(i) Metropolitan Area Networks consist of various sites spread over the same city or its vicinity.

(ii) Mbps, even Gbps speeds in some cases can be achieved over metropolitan area networks.

(iii) Various devices such as routers, telephones, ATM switches, telephone lines and microwave antennas are used in such networks.

Advantages of MAN:

(i) Data Transmission Speed ​​is high.

(ii) Area or spread of MAN is much larger than LAN.

(iii) LAN can be availed.

Disadvantages of MAN:

(i) Communication is not possible outside the metropolitan area.

(ii) This system is expensive as satellite or microwave is used as media.

-- Wide Area Network (WAN): A wide area network is a network of several computers or LANs, which are located by distance. Under ONE, the computers can be located only in one city or they can be scattered around the world. The whole concept of WAN depends on physical lines, fibre optic cables, and satellite transmission.

Advantages of WAN:

(i) Various statistical data, papers, books, films etc. can be collected and used.

(ii) Electronic mail process allows correspondence to be sent and received anywhere in the world.

(iii) Online shopping is possible.

(iv) Time Network – The world can be visualized as a table.

(v) Bulletin boards can be formed individually or collectively.

(vi) collect and use information stored on remote computers;

Disadvantages of WAN:

(i) Data Transmission Speed ​​is relatively low.

(ii) Data Error is more.

(ii) Controlling this network system is complicated.

(iv) This system is extremely expensive as satellite or microwave is used as the media.

Difference between LAN, MAN and WAN:

LAN ---:

(i) The full name of LAN is Local Area Network. (Local Area Network)

(ii) One computer communicates with another over a fixed distance (about a kilometre).

(iii) Contact is made of coaxial cable or twisted pair cable.

(iv) This network is used to exchange information over a certain distance.

(v) The cost of building such networks is low.

(vii) Data Error is reduced.

(vi) Uses readily available programs and low-cost peripherals.

(vii) Data Transmission Speed ​​is very high. Usually 1 to 100 Mbps.

(x) Number of Work Stations depends on Software.

(x) Examples: Ethernet, Omninet, Token Passing etc.

Man (MAN) ---:

(i) MAN's full name is Metropolitan Area Network. (Metropolitan Area Network) |

(ii) Computers in such networks may be spread over a metropolitan or a city or area.

(iii) Such networks use telephones, satellites, microwaves, modems, radio waves and ancillary equipment.

(iv) Such networks are more commonly used for sharing information over a certain distance.

(v) The cost of building such networks is relatively high.

(vi) Complex programs and high-cost peripherals are used.

(vi) Relatively less data error.

(vii) Data Transmission Speed ​​is lower than LAN but higher than WAN.

(ix) Number of Work Stations depends on the user.

(x) Examples and customized according to the user's needs,

WAN ---

(i) The full name of WAN is Wide Area Network. (Wide Area Network) |

(ii) Computers in such a network may span the globe.

(iii) Such networks use telephones, satellites, microwaves, modems, radio waves and ancillary equipment.

(iv) Such networks are widely used for global data exchange.

(v) The cost of building such networks is high.

(vi) Data Error is more.

(vii) Complex programs and high-cost peripherals are used.

(viii) Data Transmission Speed ​​is relatively low. Typically 1800 to 9600 bps

(ix) Number of Work Stations depends on the user.

(x) Example ARPANET, Satnet etc.