Computer Networks
A brief overview…
A computer network is a collection of computers, servers,network devices etc. connected to each other to allow sharing of data.
An example of computer network is the internet, which connects millions of people all over the world. The web of computers have made the lives simpler and has bound all the world together.
Types of computer network-
There are mainly three types of network widely used in todays time
- LAN (Local Area Network)
Group of computers connected with each other in a limited area like a school building, home ,offices ,laboratories via network switch using ethernet cables, wifi etc.
◼ LAN due to small size are considerable faster and it can give highest speed of 1000mbps also.
◼ LANS are not limited to wire connection, there is new evolution to the LANs that allows local area network on a wireless connection.
◼ LAN is secure because there is no outside connection with the local area network and can’t be accessed outside.
2. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
MAN network covers larger area by connecting LANS to a larger network of computers. In Metropolitan area network various local area networks are connected over telephone lines. The size of MAN is larger than LAN but smaller than WAN. A MAN covers larger area of a city or a town.
3. WAN (Wide Area Network)
WAN provides long distance transmission of data. The size of WAN is larger as compared to LAN and MAN. Internet connection is an example of WAN.
◼ Centralised Infrastructure- we need not to store our data in our local systems, everything is stored online on a data centre, from where we can access through WAN.
◼ Area- A WAN covers an huge coverage area. We can connect with the person in another country through WAN which is not possible in other types of computer networks.
◼ Privacy- We can setup the WAN in such a way that it encrypts the data we share online that the way data is secure and minimises the risk of unauthorised access.
◼ Cost- cost of installation is very high. and in case of any issues, issue resolution takes time. As WAN covers large area, it is really difficult to pin point exact location where the issues are raised.
“Every LAN may or may not be with WAN, but Every WAN will always be with LAN,”
LAN connects different kind of devices at a small scale, the limit is not beyond the organisation to which it belongs, but to get access to the data of the computers of worldwide one must be in connection with WAN. WAN connects many LANs to each other.
To illustrate the above statement, let us take an example of a printer located at an office of some random organisation (say secretoriate). Now all the desktop computers in the office are connected to the printer through LAN. and all the employees have given access to the it so that they can use it whenever needed.
Now, in this case employees neednot to be in connection with WAN to access that printer. But when in case some another device(other than the devices connected through LAN) wanted to access it, for this the printer must be connected to WAN.
One may think that, when he/she is accessing internet through his/her phone, the phone is directly connected to WAN. but in actual, the device is always in connection with LAN.
The home PC (connected via network cable), phone and i-pad (connected via WiFi) are still a part of a LAN. All of these devices come back to the home router, which is further connected to WAN.
Even if you have only one PC and it is directly connected to the internet, you are still on a LAN that is connected to WAN.
This was just a brief overview. For them who want to explore more, sky is the limit…..Thank you!! suggestions are always appreciated…
