TYPES OF NETWORK

• Personal Area Network (PAN)


  Designed for peripheral devices used by an individual, transmitting data between devices without necessarily connecting to the internet
• PANs


  • Can be connected to LAN and higher level network types, where one device acts as a gateway
  • Can be wireless (WPANs) or wired, each utilizing different connectivity protocols
• When to use a PAN

  1. Connecting accessories or peripherals to laptops, cell phones, etc.

  2. Devices don't need to connect directly to the internet
• Local Area Network (LAN)


  • Enable users to share devices and resources within a common location, typically within the same building
  • Utilize different types of network topologies and technologies such as Wi-Fi or TCP/IP Ethernet
• When to use a LAN

  1. Many users needing to connect at a single location

  2. Devices and resources need to communicate directly within a small geographic area
• Personal Area Network (PAN)


  Designed for peripheral devices used by an individual, transmitting data between devices without necessarily connecting to the internet
• Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)


  • Use high-frequency signals, lasers, and infrared beams to enable device communication without wires
  • Provide high data transfer rates and often operate in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands
• When to use a WLAN

  1. Mobility of devices while connected to the network is important

  2. Devices don't support a wired network connection
• Wide Area Network (WAN)


  • Connect LANs and other networks in different geographical regions, enabling data transmission
  • Can be basic or hybrid with different connection types, often featuring various technologies
• PANs


  • Can be connected to LAN and higher level network types, where one device acts as a gateway
  • Can be wireless (WPANs) or wired, each utilizing different connectivity protocols
• When to use a WAN

  Devices spread over a wide geography need to communicate directly
• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)


  • Cover areas larger than LANs but smaller than WANs, connecting LANs in regional geographies
  • Can take the form of cable TV networks or telephone networks providing high-speed DSL lines
• When to use a MAN

  Devices spread over a regional geography need to communicate directly
• When to use a LAN

  1. Many users needing to connect at a single location

  2. Devices and resources need to communicate directly within a small geographic area
• Campus Area Network (CAN)


  • Connect LANs from various departments in universities, colleges, or corporate campuses
  • Provide access to information while ensuring necessary authentication
• When to use a CAN

  Devices spread over a campus need to communicate directly
• Virtual Private Network (VPN)


  • Offer encrypted connections for secure communications over public networks like the internet
  • VPN tunnels encapsulate and encrypt data transferred between devices
• When to use a WLAN

  1. Mobility of devices while connected to the network is important

  2. Devices don't support a wired network connection
• When to use a VPN

  Facilitating secure communications between two locations without direct connectivity
• Wide Area Network (WAN)


  • Connect LANs and other networks in different geographical regions, enabling data transmission
  • Can be basic or hybrid with different connection types, often featuring various technologies
• Enterprise Private Network (EPN)


  • Custom-designed networks built by businesses to share company resources across different geographic regions
  • Optimize bandwidth-centric applications for smoother operations
• When to use a WAN


  Devices spread over a wide geography need to communicate directly
• When to use an EPN

  Facilitating secure communications between locations without direct connectivity
• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)


  • Cover areas larger than LANs but smaller than WANs, connecting LANs in regional geographies
  • Can take the form of cable TV networks or telephone networks providing high-speed DSL lines
• Storage Area Network (SAN)


  • Provide any-to-any access to storage devices and between the computer network and storage
  • Block-level I/O services are characteristic of most SANs
• When to use a MAN

  Devices spread over a regional geography need to communicate directly
• When to use a SAN

  Multiple devices need to share resources available on one or more storage devices
• Campus Area Network (CAN)


  • Connect LANs from various departments in universities, colleges, or corporate campuses
  • Provide access to information while ensuring necessary authentication
• System Area Network (SAN)

  Provide low-error-rate, high-bandwidth, low-latency data transfer
• When to use a CAN


  Devices spread over a campus need to communicate directly
• When to use a SAN

  Requirements include significant investment for setup
• Virtual Private Network (VPN)


  • Offer encrypted connections for secure communications over public networks like the internet
  • VPN tunnels encapsulate and encrypt data transferred between devices
• Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)

  Replace copper cables with fiber-optic telecommunications technology for LAN installations
• When to use a VPN

  Facilitating secure communications between two locations without direct connectivity
• When to use a POLAN


  Need for a lower-cost solution for connecting remote locations with the ability to install optical fiber
• Enterprise Private Network (EPN)


  • Custom-designed networks built by businesses to share company resources across different geographic regions
  • Optimize bandwidth-centric applications for smoother operations
• When to use an EPN

  Facilitating secure communications between locations without direct connectivity
• Storage Area Network (SAN)


  • Provide any-to-any access to storage devices and between the computer network and storage
  • Block-level I/O services are characteristic of most SANs
• When to use a SAN

  Multiple devices need to share resources available on one or more storage devices
• System Area Network (SAN)


  Provide low-error-rate, high-bandwidth, low-latency data transfer