Introduction

A computer network is the main component of the Internet, and it is principally concerned with the transmission of data and communication. It brings us online, lets us exchange content, and lets devices transmit and receive data messages. But what does the term computer network mean?

A computer network is simply a combination of flexible connected devices in a way that they can communicate without difficulty and share some resources as well. Information can be passed through computers, servers, routers, switches, and any other device commonly used in a network. This is the reason why IT professionals or students who wish to secure a career in the vibrant networking industry should have adequate knowledge of the various types of computer networks to handle and manage their preferred architecture.

As we can see in home and organizational networks, different types of networks are used. Hence, it becomes necessary to learn some of the basic features of the network types to enable efficient control of the network. This blog gives insight into what computer networks are all about and how they function and explores different types of computer networks.

Let us first understand what computer networks really are.

What is a Computer Network?

A computer network is a set of interconnected devices that communicate with each other to share resources and exchange data. It can be as simple as two computers connected to share files or as complex as a global network of servers and data centers.

Let’s take an example of a simple computer network:

Imagine you are working in a small office with five employees. Each employee has a computer, and you want to share files and printers between them. You set up a network by connecting each computer to a central switch, which connects to a router. The router provides internet access, and you can now share files, printers, and internet access between all employees.

In this example, the five computers, switch, router, and printer form a small computer network. Each device has a unique address and communicates with each other using standardized protocols.

Now, you must be curious how computer network work. Let us discuss this in detail.

How Does a Computer Network Work?

A computer network exists when computers connect using a combination of hardware and software elements. The hardware can be specific devices such as routers, switches, and Hubs, whereas the software refers to protocols and applications that enable networks.

Network Devices

• Routers: These devices send data packets from one network to the other. They utilize routing tables to establish the best way for data to go.
• Switches: Switches couple one or more devices with a specific network. They control the progression of data flow by channeling it to the right destination.
• Network interface cards (NICs): They are components used in the devices to allow them access to a network.

Network Protocols

• TCP/IP: This is a set of protocols widely implemented on internet connections. It prescribes how information can be presented, located, sent, directed, and taken in.
• HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol is for World Wide Web usage.
• FTP: File Transfer Protocol is applied in file transfer from one device to another.

Data Transmission

• Information is divided into smaller parts; these are called packets.
• Every packet is transmitted and received and then reassembled at the other end.
• Routers and switches organize all devices and use addresses and protocols to ensure that each packet eventually goes to the right place.

Let us now discuss the different types of computer networks in detail.

Types of Computer Networks

It is critical for network professionals to understand the various types of computer networks that are known. Each type is unique, exists to fill a particular niche, and is designed to function in specific conditions. Here are nine common types of computer networks:

1. Personal Area Network (PAN)

A PAN is a small network that connects devices at a short range, normally within a few meters of each other. PANs are utilized in devices that relate to individuals, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. These networks work best in your personal space.

Think of your wireless earbuds talking to your phone. That’s a PAN in action. They use Bluetooth most of the time. Some use infrared, too. The range is small, possibly around 30 feet. PANs make life easier. You don’t need wires everywhere. Your fitness tracker sends data to your phone this way. It’s simple and it just works.

Example: A Bluetooth headset worn by a person who connects it to a smartphone in order to listen to music is a typical example of PAN. Bluetooth is a Personal Area Network wherein the devices establish a connection and can transfer data between them.

2. Local Area Network (LAN)

A LAN is a type of network where devices are connected with each other and within a limited geographical area, such as a home, office, or school. Local Area Networks are usually implemented to allow computer sharing or centralization of resources such as printers, files, and the Internet.

Most homes have a LAN now. Your router creates it. All your devices connect through it. You can share files between computers easily. Print from any device to one printer. LANs are fast because all devices are close together. They use cables or Wi-Fi. Schools use them so students can access the same programs. Offices need them for teamwork. Setting up a LAN isn’t hard these days.

Example: A small office where many connected computers with a central router for files and printing is exemplified by a LAN. The devices are interconnected through preferably Ethernet cables or wirelessly through wireless networks.

3. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

MAN is used to connect several LANs together and thus it extends over a larger area, usually a city or a large campus. Today, LANs are combined by many organizations using MANs.

A MAN is bigger than you might think. It can cover a whole town. Universities implement MANs because they link all the buildings. City governments use them too. They connect libraries, offices, and schools together. The speed is pretty good. Not as fast as a LAN, but way better than old phone lines. Cable companies often run MANs. They use fiber optic cables mostly. It’s like having one big network for the whole area.

Example: A university, for instance, has many buildings linked with each other using a high-speed fiber-optic cable, known as a MAN. The network enables students and faculty to use resources and communicate in the space across buildings on campus.

4. Wide Area Network (WAN)

A WAN connects a large geographical area and can extend to several cities, regions, or even countries. WANs are largely employed in large organizations to interconnect a number of LANs or MANs.

The internet is actually the biggest WAN out there. Companies with offices everywhere need WANs. Banks use them to connect branches. The data travels long distances, sometimes through underwater cables between countries. WANs cost more than other networks. They are slower, too, because of the distance. But they let people work together from anywhere. Cloud services run on WANs. Without them, we couldn’t video chat with family overseas or work from home.

Example: A WAN is a multinational corporation with offices in different countries utilizing dedicated fiber optic links to enable communication. This enables the employees in the different stations to access common assets and share ideas, and information.

5. Storage Area Network (SAN)

SAN is a high-speed network connectivity specifically dedicated to interconnecting switches that allow storage devices to connect to the server. SANs are required where raw data is frequently required through fast and reliable access.

Think of a SAN like a super-fast highway just for data storage. Big companies need lots of storage space. SANs let many computers use the same storage. It’s much faster than regular networks. Banks store customer data on SANs. Hospitals keep patient records there. The speed matters when you need files right away. SANs never slow down, even when lots of people use them. They cost a lot, but they’re worth it for important data.

Example: An example of this type of network is a data center in which there are a number of servers that are connected to a storage area network or SAN for its central storage systems. It means that through the help of the SAN, the servers can be capable of acquiring and storing large data in a faster manner.

6. Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)

POLAN is a kind of LAN, which mostly implements fiber-optic cables, and passive optical splitters for connection. POLANs are typically faster and more efficient types of networks, which are ideal for conditions in which data must be transmitted at high rates.

POLANs are pretty clever. They use light instead of electricity. No power is needed for the splitters. That saves money on electric bills. Hotels are switching to POLANs now. So are hospitals and schools. The cables last longer than regular ones. They don’t get interference from other electronics either. You can send data really far – like 12 miles. Regular networks can’t do that. Plus, they’re harder to hack because you can’t tap into light easily.

Example: The type of network that has multiple connected floors and departments is illustrated by a modern office complex with several floors and departments interconnected through a POLAN. The fiber-optic cables and passive splitters guarantee that the data transmitted is fast and without loss of signal.

7. EPN (Enterprise Private Network)

EPN is the connection between different large organizational offices and is designed to be safe. EPNs are particularly applied to guarantee that the data being exchanged or stored are protected.

Big companies can’t use the regular internet for everything. It’s not safe enough. EPNs are like private roads for data. Only the company can use them. Banks love EPNs for moving money data. The government uses them for confidentiality. No one else can get in. The company controls everything. They know exactly where the data goes. EPNs cost more but keep hackers out. If your business handles private info, you probably need one. They are like having your own internet.

Example: An example of this type of network is the network of a financial company with its branches and a central data center linked through an EPN. The EPN guarantees that information such as financials are seamlessly and safely transmitted.

8. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

VPN is a network technology used to create a secure network connection even over an insecure connection like the Internet. VPN can be primarily used when it is necessary to gain access to a private network from a distance.

VPNs are like secret tunnels on the internet. Your data gets scrambled so that no one can read it. The VPN hides your actual location. It’s like wearing a disguise online. Some are free, but the good ones cost money. The network speed slows down a bit, but safety is worth it.

Example: An example of this type of network is an employee who is working from home via a Virtual Private Network, VPN, to access their employer’s secure network. The VPN makes sure that the particular company resource the employee needs to access is available and can be accessed safely as if the employee is still within the company’s LAN.

9. Internetwork

An internetwork connects different computer networks together. It lets these separate networks share information and resources. Each network keeps its own structure but can communicate with others through special devices and rules.

But how exactly does Internetwork work?

Networks are groups of connected computers. Each network has its own addresses and rules. Internetworks bridge these different networks.

Routers are the main connectors. They find paths between networks. They read addresses and send data the right way. Protocols are the common language networks use to understand each other.

When you send data through an internetwork, it travels through multiple networks. Each network passes it along until it reaches its destination. The process happens in seconds, even across the world.

Types of Internetwork

There are two types of Internetwork, i.e., Intranet and Extranet.

• Intranet: The Private Network

An intranet is a private internetwork that belongs to one organization. Only people inside the organization can access it. It uses the same technology as the internet but stays behind protective walls. Employees can share files, communicate, and access company resources safely.

• Extranet: The Extended Network

An extranet extends a private network to include specific outside users. It’s more open than an intranet but more controlled than the public internet. Organizations use extranets to work with partners, suppliers, or customers. Selected outsiders get limited access to certain resources.

These are the 9 types of computer networks.

Applications of Computer Networks

Some of the main applications of computer networks are:

• Communication: Send emails in a flash. Make video calls to anyone, anywhere. Chat with ten people at once—no more waiting for letters.

• Resource Sharing: Use one printer for the whole office. Share expensive software among many users: access scanners and storage from any desk.

• Data Sharing: Share files between computers instantly. Work on the same document together. Keep everyone updated with the latest version.

• Information Access: Search millions of websites in seconds. Read the news as it happens. Find answers to any question right away.

• Remote Work: Do your job from home or a beach. Connect to office computers from anywhere. Attend meetings without driving there.

• Education: Take classes from top teachers worldwide. Submit homework online. Learn new skills through video lessons.

Advantages of Computer Networks

Some of the main advantages of computer networks are:

• Resource Sharing Capabilities: You can send files to anyone on the network—no need for USB drives or emails. Just drag and drop.

• Hardware Cost Reduction: One printer works for everyone. The same goes for scanners and storage drives. Why buy ten when one does the job?

• Remote Access Flexibility: Connect to your office computer from home. Access your files from the coffee shop. Pretty handy, right?

• Enhanced Collaboration: Many people can work on the same project together. Changes show up instantly for everyone.

• Data Backup Solutions: Store essential files in one secure place. Set up automatic backups so nothing gets lost.

• Real-time Communication: Send messages instantly. Video chat with teammates. Share screens to solve problems quickly.

• Centralized Management: IT personnel can update all computers simultaneously. They can fix issues remotely, too. Saves tons of time.

• Internet Connectivity Sharing: One internet line serves the whole office. Everyone gets online without separate connections.

Disadvantages of Computer Networks

Here are the main disadvantages of computer networks:

• Security risks: Hackers can attack from anywhere. One weak password puts everyone at risk. Viruses spread fast through connected computers.

• Infrastructure Expenses: Setting up networks isn’t cheap. You need cables, routers, and switches. Plus, you’ll pay experts to install everything.

• System Downtime Impact: If the main server crashes, nobody can work. One bad cable can bring the whole office to a standstill.

• Regular Maintenance: Someone must watch the network all day. Updates, backups, and fixes never end. That means hiring IT staff.

• Technical Complexity: More computers mean more problems. Finding issues becomes like solving puzzles. Training people takes forever.

• Bandwidth Limitations: Too many people online? Everything crawls—videos buffer. Files take ages to download.

• Compatibility Issues: Not all machines play nice together. Different systems create compatibility nightmares.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are computer network types?

Computer network types include:

• LAN (Local Area Network)
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
• WAN (Wide Area Network)
• PAN (Personal Area network)
• Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)
• Virtual Private Network (VPN)

These types of networks are to fill a particular niche and are designed to function in specific conditions.

Q2. What are the 5 classification of computer networks?

The 5 classifications of Computer Networks are:

• LAN (Local Area Network)
• WAN (Wide Area Network)
• PAN (Personal Area Network)
• VPN (Virtual Private Network)
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

Q3. What is Lan Man and WAN?

LAN, MAN, and WAN are types of networks used for different purposes.

• LAN: Covers a small geographical area like an office, school, or home
• MAN:  Covers a larger area than LAN, typically a city or large campus
• WAN: Connects devices across extensive geographical areas

Q4. What are three examples of a computer network?

The three most common examples of a computer network are:

• LAN
• MAN
• WAN

Conclusion

Understanding the different types of computer networks is crucial for network professionals and organizations. Each type of network serves a specific purpose and is designed to meet the unique needs of different environments. From a small PAN for gadgets to use in personal life, to a LAN for home or office, a MAN for city or campus, a WAN for a large-scale organization, a SAN to provide fast data transfer, a POLAN for guaranteed data transmission, a EPN for the safe connection, and a VPN for the remote connection – the correct type of network can significantly improve productivity and safety and solely focuses on communication and data transfer.