Networking Concepts

Objective

• Describe the purpose and functions of a network.

Key Questions

• What is the purpose of a network?
• How important is it to have a network within an organization?

Network Definition

• A network is a group of two or more computers and devices connected together via communication devices and transmission media.
• Businesses network their computers together to:
  • Facilitate communication.
  • Share hardware.
  • Share data and information.
  • Share software.
  • Transfer funds.

Types of Networks

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

Network Comparison Chart

Personal Area Network (PAN)

• A small-scale network designed for connecting devices within an individual's immediate vicinity (typically within a range of a few meters).
• Used for personal devices to communicate and share data, often wirelessly.
• Key Characteristics:
  • Range: Limited to a few meters (up to 10 meters).
  • Devices: Connects personal devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, wearables (smartwatches, fitness trackers), printers, and headphones.
  • Wireless or Wired: Can be wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct) or wired (e.g., USB).
  • Purpose: Facilitates data sharing, synchronization, and communication between personal devices.
• Common Technologies Used:
  • Bluetooth: The most widely used wireless technology for PANs, enabling devices to connect and exchange data over short distances.
  • Wi-Fi Direct: Allows devices to connect directly without needing a traditional Wi-Fi network.
  • Infrared (IR): Older technology for short-range communication, now less common.

Local Area Network (LAN)

• A network that connects devices within a limited geographic area, such as a home, office, school, or building.
• Widely used to share resources like files, printers, and internet connections among multiple devices.
• Key Characteristics:
  • Range: Covers a small area, typically within a single building or a group of nearby buildings.
  • Speed: High data transfer rates (e.g., 1 Gbps or higher with modern Ethernet or Wi-Fi).
  • Ownership: Usually privately owned and managed by an organization or individual.
  • Devices: Connects computers, servers, printers, switches, routers, and other network-enabled devices.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

• A network that spans a city or a large campus, providing connectivity over a larger geographic area than a Local Area Network (LAN) but smaller than a Wide Area Network (WAN).
• Designed to connect multiple LANs within a specific region, enabling efficient data sharing and communication across a city or metropolitan area.
• Key Characteristics:
  • Range: Covers a larger area than a LAN, typically spanning a city or a large campus (up to 50 km).
  • Speed: Offers high data transfer rates, often comparable to LANs.
  • Infrastructure: Uses a combination of wired (e.g., fiber optics) and wireless (e.g., microwave) technologies.
  • Scalability: Designed to support a large number of users and devices.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

• A network that spans a large geographic area, such as a country, continent, or even the entire globe.
• WANs are used to connect smaller networks, like Local Area Networks (LANs) or Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), enabling communication and data sharing over long distances.
• Key Characteristics:
  • Range: Covers a large geographic area, often spanning cities, countries, or continents.
  • Speed: Data transfer rates are generally lower than LANs or MANs due to the long distances involved.
  • Ownership: Typically owned by telecommunications companies, ISPs, or large organizations.
  • Infrastructure: Uses a combination of wired (e.g., fiber optics, leased lines) and wireless (e.g., satellite, microwave) technologies.
  • Scalability: Can connect thousands of devices and networks across vast distances.