Abstract
Computer networks are a group of computers that are connected to work together in sharing information and data. Usually, various computer network types are categorized using their scale and scope. About all design types are referred to as a type of area network by the networking industry (Lowe, 2009). Commonly known area networks types are; Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Local Area Network (LAN), Personal Area Network (PAN), Cluster Area Network (CAN) and Storage Area Network (SAN). WAN and LAN is the most common types as they are the primary categories (Kim & Feamster, 2013). The rest have only emerged with advances in technology through the years.
This essay discusses different sources of the different types of networking by their strengths, weaknesses, and reason for using them. It also includes images that explain the types.
Introduction
A network is a collection of many computers linked together to share information and other resources like CDs and printers. Networking also enables electronic communications and the exchange of files. In a network, the computers are linked through the use of light beams that are infrared, satellites, radio waves, telephone lines and cables. The different types of networking include a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Networks (WANs), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a Campus Area Network (CAN), and a Personal Area Network (PAN) (Lowe, 2009). This essay discusses these different types of networking.
The various types of networking differ in coverage (Chandra et al., 2007). WAN spreads the most, reaching to about a thousand of kilometers and covering countries and continents, MAN covers cities within ten kilometers, and LAN covers rooms and buildings, as it spreads to about a kilometer. Lastly, PAN can only cover a square meter, therefore only serving a single person. The diagram below demonstrates the concept of coverage.
Image 1: The difference in coverage of different types of networking
Usually, a Local Area Network (LAN) covers an area that is relatively small. Generally, geographic areas that it is confined to are the likes of buildings, schools, and writing labs. When computers are linked in a network, they are generally categorized as workstations or servers. Normally, humans do not use servers directly. Rather, they continuously run to give services to humans who use them and to other computers on the network. They provide services such as, total access, control and security provision for the resources of the network data retrieval and storage, messaging, file sharing and storage, software hosting, faxing and printing (Kim & Feamster, 2013).
On the other hand, workstations typically have human users who use them to connect with the network. Traditionally, workstations were viewed as a desktop that comprised of mouse, display, keyboard, and a computer, or a laptop that consisted of touchpad, display and keyboard. The introduction of touch screen devices such as iPhones and iPads and of the tablet computer widens the definition of the term workstation, which is evolving fast and now includes such devices. This is because they have to utilize services of the network and to interact with it.
Normally, workstations are not as powerful as servers: needs however normally guide configurations (Lowe, 2009). An example is when a collection of servers are placed in a place that is safe, but away from people, and are accessed only by the use of a network. In such a case, the operations of the servers may take place without the use of a dedicated keyboard or display. However, the speed and size of the processor(s) of the servers, main memory and hard drive could dramatically make the system more expensive. On the contrast, it is not a requirement for a workstation to have as much working memory or storage. They might however need a display that is expensive to can accommodate all the user’s needs. On a network all computers must be configured appropriately for their use.
In LAN, servers and computers can be linked together using a wireless network or by employing a cable. Wireless access is done through wireless access points (WAPs) in a wired network. Such devices of WAP act as a bridge that links networks with computers. A normal WAP could have the hypothetical ability to bring together up to thousands of users of wireless devices to a network; practical capacity could however be way less (Kim & Feamster, 2013).
Most of the times, servers use cables for connection to networks. This is because cable connections are the fastest. Stationary workstations such as desktops are normally connected to the network through the use of a cable. This happens even though wireless adapters have become very cheap such that it is easier to install workstations in already existing facilities that lack proper wiring. This is because they are less expensive and easier in a desktop to use wireless.
The greatest advantage of the LAN is the speeds. The speed for download and upload may go up to 1 gigabit per second. In comparison, with WAN, LAN is much faster in upload and downloads times. Besides, in terms of cost, LAN connection is less costly because the infrastructure and effort required to install are relatively cheaper. More importantly, a LAN user will require simple installation devices such as Ethernet cables and network switches or use Wi-Fi connection, which makes it less costly. Nonetheless, it has the disadvantage of accessibility limitation because the network can only be used within the coverage area.
Image 2: Source Google Images
Another type of networking is the Wide Area Networks (WANs) (Chandra et al., 2007). This type links networks on a larger geographic scope, like the state of Florida, America, the whole world; it is a global network. In its connection, dedicated satellite uplinks or transoceanic cabling are employed.
Schools in Tokyo can use a WAN to communicate with students in places such as Florida in seconds without having to wait for long or pay huge phone bills. Two parties in different continents that have workstations that have webcams and microphones can teleconference, and can therefore save a lot of time and resources. A WAN networking is however very complicated. This is because it has to use routers, bridges, and multiplexers in order to connect metropolitan and local to communications globally such as the Internet. The good news is that despite this, its users rarely notice a big difference between a WAN and a LAN (Lowe, 2009).
WAN solves the challenge of coverage by being accessible within a larger geographical area compared to LAN. However, the disadvantage is that due the massive coverage, the speeds are slower compared to LAN. Besides, the installation costs are high especially if one intends to have private WAN.
Image 3: Source- Google Images
The third type of networking is the Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) (Kim & Feamster, 2013). This type is not as big as a WAN, but not as small as a LAN; it has the elements of the two. Normally, it spans a city or a town, and is usually owned by a single company or an individual, or the local council.
Image 4: Source- Google Images
On the other hand, a Campus Area Network (CAN) falls between a LAN and a MAN in coverage. It is usually used in places such as small businesses, large schools, and universities. A CAN is normally spread over group of buildings that are reasonably local to one another. It might be able to connect to the internet, and can also comprise of an internal Ethernet.
Image 5: Source-Google Images
Lastly, a Personal Area Network (PAN) is mostly used by individuals at their homes. It is facilitated by the connections of a personal computer and other gadgets like modems or telephones (Chandra et al., 2007).
Image 6: Source Google Images
Bibliography
Chandra, P., Dobkin, D. M., Bensky, D., Olexa, R., Lide, D., & Dowla, F. (2007). Wireless Networking: Know It All. Technology & Engineering.
Kim, H., & Feamster, N. (2013). Improving network management with software defined networking. IEEE Communications Magazine, 51(2), 114-119.
Lowe, D. (2009). Networking for Dummies. John Wiley & Sons.
