Classification of Computer Networks
A computer network
can be classified into different categories. Different criteria are used to
classify computer networks. Following are the criteria widely used.
•
Geographical spread
• Topology
•
Ownership
Classification
by Geographical Spread
Based on
geographical spread, networks can be classified into the following three
categories.
Local Area Network (LAN)
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Local
area network (LAN) LAN is a computer network that consists of few or more
computers and other communication devices connected in the form of a network
within a well-defined area such as a room or a building.
A typical example is a college or
university computer network. Users in a LAN can share both hardware and
sharable software resources. For example, hardware resources include expensive
laser printer, plotter, fax machines, modem, etc. Almost all local area
networks use a single communication media, as it restricted to a limited area.
All network resources and their management activities are controlled using
special system software called Network Operating System (NOS).
Metropolitan
area network (MAN) MAN is a network more extensive than a LAN. The name
metropolitan is due to the ability to cover a relatively larger area of a city,
from a few tens to a maximum of hundred kilometers. Different hardware and
transmission media often used in a MAN for efficient transmission of information.
Wide
area network (WAN) WAN is a computer network that spans a large geographical
area. It uses dedicated or switched connections to link computers in
geographically remote locations. Wide area networks are implemented to connect
a large number of LANs and MANs. Due to this reason, it is possible to see a
large number of heterogeneous components in a wide area network. Different
communication media used, and the network spreads across several national
boundaries. Computers connected to a WAN often connected to a public network.
They can also be connected through leased lines or satellite links. The
government or large concerns mostly use WAN because of the considerable
investment made to implement them.
There
are three categories of wide area networks, namely
Enterprise network: An interconnected version of all the local area networks
of a single organization is known as an enterprise network.
Global network: A network formed by combining the networks of several
organizations over a wide area.
Internet: A network of networks of broad area category. It is the
biggest network in the world. The network components are LANs, WANs, MANs, and
millions of autonomous computers of different category. A single authority does
not control the network; the local, national authority controls every segment
of the Internet.
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