• Network is a group of computers linked to each other that enables the computer to communicate with another computer and share their data, applications and resources.
• By their size network can be categorized.
• Network is mainly consisting of four types, they are
  • LAN- Local Area Network
  • PAN- Personal Area Network
  • MAN- Metropolitan Area Network
  • WAN- Wide Area Network

LAN-Local Area Network

• LAN is a group of computers connected to each other in a small area such as house, office, buildings.
• Local Area Network is used for connecting two or more personal computers through a communication medium such as coaxial cable, twisted pair, etc.
• Its cost is less as it is built with inexpensive hardware such as network adapters, hubs, and ethernet cables.
• In LAN data is transferred at an extremely faster rate and provides higher security.

PAN-Personal Area Network

• PAN is a network arranged within an individual person, typically within a range of 10 meters.
• PAN is used for connecting the computer devices of personal use.
• Personal computer devices are used to develop the personal area network are the media player, laptop, play stations and mobile phones and it covers an area of 30 feet.

MAN-Metropolitan Area Network

• MAN is a network that covers a larger geographic area by interconnecting a different LAN to form a larger network.
• MAN is used by government agencies to connect to the private industries and citizens.
• It is higher range than LAN and most widely used protocols are ATM, ADSL, Frame Relay, RS-232, OC-3, etc.

WAN-Wide Area Network

• A WAN is a network that extends over a large geographical area such as countries or states.
• It is not limited to a single location, but it spans over a large geographical area through a fiber optic cable, telephone line or satellite links.
• It is quite bigger network than the LAN and widely used in the field of education, Business and government.