Used for everything from accessing the internet or printing a document to downloading an attachment from an email, networks are the backbone of business today. They can refer to a small handful of devices within a single room to millions of devices spread across the entire globe, and can be defined based on purpose and/or size.
We put together this handy reference guide to explain the types ofnetworksin use today, and what they’re used for.
11 Types of Networks in Use Today
1. Personal Area Network (PAN)
The smallest and most basic type of network, a PAN is made up of a wireless modem, a computer or two, phones, printers, tablets, etc., and revolves around one person in one building. These types of networks are typically found in small offices or residences, and are managed by one person or organization from a single device.
2. Local Area Network (LAN)
We’re confident that you’ve heard of these types of networks before – LANs are the most frequently discussed networks, one of the most common, one of the most original and one of the simplest types of networks.LANsconnect groups of computers and low-voltage devices together across short distances (within a building or between a group of two or three buildings in close proximity to each other) to share information and resources. Enterprises typically manage and maintain LANs.
Using routers, LANs can connect to wide area networks (WANs, explained below) to rapidly and safely transfer data.
3. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
Functioning like a LAN, WLANs make use ofwireless network technology, such as Wi-Fi. Typically seen in the same types of applications as LANs, these types of networks don’t require that devices rely on physical cables to connect to the network.
4. Campus Area Network (CAN)
Larger than LANs, but smaller than metropolitan area networks (MANs, explained below), these types of networks are typically seen in universities, large K-12 school districts or small businesses. They can be spread across several buildings that are fairly close to each other so users can share resources.
5. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
These types of networks are larger than LANs but smaller than WANs – and incorporate elements from both types of networks. MANs span an entire geographic area (typically a town or city, but sometimes a campus). Ownership and maintenance is handled by either a single person or company (a local council, a large company, etc.).
6. Wide Area Network (WAN)
Slightly more complex than a LAN, aWANconnects computers together across longer physical distances. This allows computers and low-voltage devices to be remotely connected to each other over one large network to communicate even when they’re miles apart.
The Internet is the most basic example of a WAN, connecting all computers together around the world. Because of a WAN’s vast reach, it is typically owned and maintained by multiple administrators or the public.
7. Storage-Area Network (SAN)
As a dedicated high-speed network that connects shared pools of storage devices to several servers, these types of networks don’t rely on a LAN or WAN. Instead, they move storage resources away from the network and place them into their own high-performance network. SANs can be accessed in the same fashion as a drive attached to a server. Types of storage-area networks include converged, virtual and unified SANs.
8. System-Area Network (also known as SAN)
This term is fairly new within the past two decades. It is used to explain a relatively local network that is designed to provide high-speed connection in server-to-server applications (cluster environments), storage area networks (called “SANs” as well) and processor-to-processor applications. The computers connected on a SAN operate as a single system at very high speeds.
9. Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)
As an alternative to traditional switch-based Ethernet LANs,POLAN technology can be integrated into structured cablingto overcome concerns about supporting traditional Ethernet protocols and network applications such as PoE (Power over Ethernet). A point-to-multipoint LAN architecture, POLAN uses optical splitters to split an optical signal from one strand of singlemode optical fiber into multiple signals to serve users and devices.
10. Enterprise Private Network (EPN)
These types of networks are built and owned by businesses that want to securely connect its various locations to share computer resources.
11. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
By extending a private network across the Internet, a VPN lets its users send and receive data as if their devices were connected to the private network – even if they’re not. Through a virtual point-to-point connection, users can access a private network remotely.
If you have questions about which type ofnetworkis right for your organization, or want to learn more about Belden’s network solutions that improve uptime, maintain security, and help improve user access, clickhere.
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Now, let's dive into the concepts mentioned in the article you provided.
Types of Networks:
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Personal Area Network (PAN): A PAN is the smallest and most basic type of network. It consists of a wireless modem, a few computers, phones, printers, tablets, etc., and is typically found in small offices or residences. It is managed by one person or organization from a single device.
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Local Area Network (LAN): LANs are the most frequently discussed and common types of networks. They connect groups of computers and low-voltage devices together across short distances, such as within a building or between a group of two or three buildings in close proximity. LANs are used to share information and resources, and they are typically managed and maintained by enterprises. LANs can connect to wide area networks (WANs) using routers.
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Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): WLANs function similarly to LANs but use wireless network technology, such as Wi-Fi. They are typically used in the same applications as LANs but do not require physical cables for device connections.
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Campus Area Network (CAN): CANs are larger than LANs but smaller than metropolitan area networks (MANs). They are commonly found in universities, large K-12 school districts, or small businesses. CANs can be spread across several buildings in close proximity to each other, allowing users to share resources.
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Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): MANs span an entire geographic area, typically a town or city, and sometimes a campus. They are larger than LANs but smaller than WANs. MANs incorporate elements from both LANs and WANs and are owned and maintained by a single person or company.
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Wide Area Network (WAN): WANs connect computers and low-voltage devices across longer physical distances. They allow remote communication between devices even when they are miles apart. The Internet is an example of a WAN, connecting computers worldwide. WANs are typically owned and maintained by multiple administrators or the public.
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Storage-Area Network (SAN): SANs are dedicated high-speed networks that connect shared pools of storage devices to several servers. They do not rely on LANs or WANs and have their own high-performance network. SANs can be accessed like drives attached to servers. Types of SANs include converged, virtual, and unified SANs.
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System-Area Network (SAN): This term refers to a relatively local network designed to provide high-speed connections in server-to-server applications, storage area networks (also called "SANs"), and processor-to-processor applications. Computers connected on a SAN operate as a single system at high speeds.
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Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN): POLAN technology is an alternative to traditional switch-based Ethernet LANs. It can be integrated into structured cabling and overcomes concerns about supporting traditional Ethernet protocols and network applications. POLAN uses optical splitters to split an optical signal from one strand of single-mode optical fiber into multiple signals, serving users and devices in a point-to-multipoint LAN architecture.
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Enterprise Private Network (EPN): EPNs are built and owned by businesses to securely connect their various locations and share computer resources.
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Virtual Private Network (VPN): A VPN extends a private network across the Internet, allowing users to send and receive data as if their devices were connected to the private network. It provides a virtual point-to-point connection and enables remote access to a private network.
These are the 11 types of networks mentioned in the article. If you have any further questions or need more information about any specific type of network, feel free to ask!
