Computer Network Types

What is a computer network? Generically, a network is a collection of computers interconnected by a common method. Because this definition is rather abstract and provides little insight about how the interconnection is achieved, further definition is required. There are currently three classes of computer networks:

• Wide area networks (WANs)

• Local area networks (LANs)

• Metropolitan area networks (MANs)

LANs are limited to a single geographical area (usually a building or collection of buildings, such as a college or company campus complex). Most LANs utilize high-speed networking technologies and are limited by the network size constraints associated with those particular technologies.

A WAN is a collection of LANs in different geographical locations (even on different continents) that are interconnected using low-speed data communications links provided by the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or other means.

A MAN is a combination of LAN and WAN elements. MANs utilize transmission facilities provisioned from the PSTN, but they employ high-speed communication protocols that are commonly used in LANs.

Computer networks are a ground-up creation. Their complexity grows as the different elements required to send data are implemented. The following section provides an overview of the different elements involved in computer data network communication.