Types of Computer Networks

A personal area network (PAN):
A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network used for data transmission among devices such
as computers,telephones and personal digital assistants. PANs can be used for communication among the personal devices themselves (intrapersonal communication), or for connecting to a higher level
network and the Internet.

• Local Area Network (LAN):
A local area network is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building, using network media.

A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and associated devices that share a common communications line or wireless link to a server. Typically, a LAN encompasses computers and peripherals connected to a server within a distinct geographic area such as an office or a commercial establishment. Computers and other mobile devices use a LAN connection to share resources such as a printer or network storage.

• Metropolitan Area Network or MAN:

A metropolitan area network is used to connect multiple LAN's in a larger geographical area, such as a city or stat. this type of networks is mostly used by large cooperation's to connect the headquarter with otherbranches.

A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a network that interconnects users with computer resources in a geographic area or region larger than that covered by even a large local area network (LAN) but smaller than the area covered by a wide area network (WAN).

• Wide Area Network (WAN):

The wide area network, is the largest form of networks that we have, it connect other smaller networks with each other. The larges WAN is theinternet as it connects other networks world wide.

A computer network that spans a relatively large geographical area. Typically, a WAN consists of two or more local-area networks (LANs). Computers connected to a wide-area network are often connected through public networks, such as the telephone system. They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites.

• WLAN - Wireless Local Area Network:

The WLAN is a LAN that uses a WIFI connection to communicate.

• SAN - Storage Area Network:

The storage, System or Server Area Network, are networks that connects servers to storage devices

using high speed connection such as optic fibers.