Types+of+Networks

=Types of Networks (Physical Layout)=

// PAN: Personal Area Network //
This is the smallest type of network. You probably have one created without knowing about it. Do you have a headset connected to your cellphone by Bluetooth? That is a PAN. With the use of [|Bluetooth] technology you are able to create small networks. Normally these types of networks are restricted to small are like your desk. Maybe you have your keyboard, mouse, printer and smartphone connected through bluetooth to your computer. That is a great example of this type of network.

Here is an example of PAN:

// LAN: Local Area Network //
This type of network is bigger than the previous one. LAN are restricted to a building or office.

This is an example of a LAN:

In January 31, 2008 this technology celebrated its [|30th birthday]. Go ahead a read a little about the history of this technology and how and engineer got the idea while eating a meatball sandwich. For real!

// MAN: Metropolitan Area Network //
Metropolitan Area Network goes beyond a single building. Take for example the bank branches that are throughout your downtown area they need a way to communicate so they create a MAN. Since this type of network covers big distances the media used for transmission will be different from the LAN.

Example of MAN:



// WAN: Wide Area Network //
Now we have arrived to the WAN. This type of network connects two LANs or MANs that are separated by great distances, like in two different cities or even continents. The biggest WAN is the Internet. Here the type of media used surpasses the speed of the ones used in MAN or LAN.

Here is an example of a WAN: