A network is a group of two or more computers or other electronic devices that are interconnected for the
purpose of exchanging data and sharing resources.
Network has the following types:
A network that is used to connect computers in a single building or group of buildings. A computer in LAN may be
a PC, laptop, embedded computer or mobile computer like smartphone, tablet, and smartwatch.
An experiment of connecting computers over LAN had started in the 1970s. In older days printers and other
storage devices were very expensive. So these devices were shared among different users in the local area
network. From 1983, all computers in the LAN network started sharing their resources.
Computer network that covers a geographically large area is called a wide area network (WAN). WAN comprises two
or more local area networks (LAN) or metro area networks (MAN) and is simply a dispersed communication network
for transmission of data, voice, image, video etc. The computers in a wide area network are generally connected
through public networks like the phone system, satellite systems, and leased lines or with the help of other
service providers like cable companies etc. WANs are also built using cheaper packet switching or circuit
switching methods. It can also be privately owned or rented.
A Metropolitan Area Network is a computer network based in a metropolitan or city area, through a connection of
multiple LAN. It can access by point to point connections. By combining smaller LAN networks, MANs have the
ability to extend to a geographical area of 5 to 50 km. It is sufficient for the network requirements of a city.
This interconnection of networks across the city may also end up facilitating connections to WAN.
