Computer Network Management

Depending on their scope, the types of computer networks are :

1. Personal area network(PAN)

It is a computer network used for communication among computer devices close to one person.

Some of the devices that are used in a PAN are printers, fax machines, telephones, PDAs and scanners. The reach of a PAN is typically about 20-30 feet which can also be increased with technology improvements.

2. Local area network(LAN)

It is a computer network covering a small physical area, like a home, office, or small group of buildings, such as a school, or an airport.

The defining characteristics of LANs, in contrast to WANs (wide area networks), include their higher data transfer rates, smaller geographic range, and lack of a need for leased telecommunication lines.

Also multiple LANs can be interconnected to increase the scope of the network.

3. Campus area network(CAN)

It is a computer network made up of an interconnection of local area networks (LANs) within a limited geographical area.

It can be considered one form of a metropolitan area network, specific to an academic setting.

A campus area network is larger than a local area network but smaller than a wide area network (WAN) (in some cases).

The main aim of a campus area network is to facilitate students accessing internet and university resources. This is a network that connects two or more LANs but that is limited to a specific and contiguous geographical area such as a college campus, industrial complex, office building, or a military base.

4. Metropolitan area network(MAN)

Its a network that connects two or more local area networks or campus area networks together but does not extend beyond the boundaries of the immediate town/city.

Routers, switches and hubs are connected to create a metropolitan area network.

5. Wide area network(WAN)

Its a computer network that covers a broader area. Less formally, a WAN is a network that uses routers and public communications links Contrast with PANs,LANs,CANs or MANs which are usually limited to a room, building, campus or specific metropolitan area respectively.

The largest and most well-known example of a WAN is the Internet. A WAN is a data communications network that covers a relatively broad geographic area i.e. one city to another and one country to another country.

6. Global area network(GAN)

A global area networks specification is in development by several groups which is a model for supporting mobile communications across an arbitrary number of wireless LANs, satellite coverage areas and so on.

7. Virtual private network(VPN)

It is a computer network in which some of the links between nodes are carried by open connections or virtual circuits in some larger network instead of by physical wires.

One common application is secure communications through the public Internet.

A VPN allows computer users to appear to be editing from an IP address location other than the one which connects the actual computer to the Internet.

8. Internetwork

Internetworking involves connecting two or more distinct computer networks or network segments via a common routing technology. The result is called an internetwork often shortened to internet.

In modern practice, the interconnected networks use the Internet Protocol. There are at least three variants of internetwork, depending on who administers and who participates in them:

* Intranet

* Extranet

* Internet

Depending on their scope, the types of computer networks are :

1. Personal area network(PAN)

It is a computer network used for communication among computer devices close to one person.Some of the devices that are used in a PAN are printers, fax machines, telephones, PDAs and scanners. The reach of a PAN is typically about 20-30 feet which can also be increased with technology improvements.

2. Local area network(LAN)

It is a computer network covering a small physical area, like a home, office, or small group of buildings, such as a school, or an airport.The defining characteristics of LANs, in contrast to WANs (wide area networks), include their higher data transfer rates, smaller geographic range, and lack of a need for leased telecommunication lines.Also multiple LANs can be interconnected to increase the scope of the network.

3. Campus area network(CAN)

It is a computer network made up of an interconnection of local area networks (LANs) within a limited geographical area.It can be considered one form of a metropolitan area network, specific to an academic setting.A campus area network is larger than a local area network but smaller than a wide area network (WAN) (in some cases).The main aim of a campus area network is to facilitate students accessing internet and university resources. This is a network that connects two or more LANs but that is limited to a specific and contiguous geographical area such as a college campus, industrial complex, office building, or a military base.

4. Metropolitan area network(MAN)

Its a network that connects two or more local area networks or campus area networks together but does not extend beyond the boundaries of the immediate town/city.Routers, switches and hubs are connected to create a metropolitan area network.

5. Wide area network(WAN)

Its a computer network that covers a broader area. Less formally, a WAN is a network that uses routers and public communications links Contrast with PANs,LANs,CANs or MANs which are usually limited to a room, building, campus or specific metropolitan area respectively.The largest and most well-known example of a WAN is the Internet. A WAN is a data communications network that covers a relatively broad geographic area i.e. one city to another and one country to another country.

6. Global area network(GAN)

A global area networks specification is in development by several groups which is a model for supporting mobile communications across an arbitrary number of wireless LANs, satellite coverage areas and so on.

7. Virtual private network(VPN)

It is a computer network in which some of the links between nodes are carried by open connections or virtual circuits in some larger network instead of by physical wires.One common application is secure communications through the public Internet.A VPN allows computer users to appear to be editing from an IP address location other than the one which connects the actual computer to the Internet.

8. Internetwork

Internetworking involves connecting two or more distinct computer networks or network segments via a common routing technology. The result is called an internetwork often shortened to internet.In modern practice, the interconnected networks use the Internet Protocol. There are at least three variants of internetwork, depending on who administers and who participates in them:

* Intranet

* Extranet

* Internet