Classification of Networks

In our previous post which is Introduction to Computer Networking we discussed about what is network and categories of networks. Let's start...

LAN (Local Area Network) 

As the name itself indicating that this is a network which is locally build and implemented. This type of network is usually are wired network and is mostly seen in Schools, Small organizations, and even in the homes, some of you might be familiar to it. This type of network provides the good authenticity to the people who deals in some confidential work or requires the privacy. 

In technical format we can define Local Area Network as " It is a network through which the data is shared between the computers or systems with the help of Switches, HUB's, Routers, Access Points, Cables, etc using the IP Addresses". To setup a LAN you have to have minimum of two devices. 

With the increase in the technology sector today LAN is being used by almost every small to medium organizations like Hotels, Restaurants, Shops (any), etc. The main purpose of LAN's was to provide the comfort in sharing the data within the corporate sectors and educational institutions (Universities campus, Schools, etc), but with the passage of time it created the space in every sector. 

What are the subcategories of LAN's?

There are two types of LAN's 

• Client or Server LAN
• Peer to Peer LAN

Client/Server LAN

It is a network where number of clients (devices) are connected to a single server. Here, the server could be a Switch, HUB, or any other device that manages files, access application,etc. 

Mani purpose of this type of network is to let the authentic users to access files, databases, share files, E-mails, etc with other registered users over the network.

Peer to Peer LAN

Peer to Peer means one to one connection. This type of LAN network does not contain any server instead computers or systems are connected with one another and share the data or files.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

WAN as the acronym itself tels that it is a network which is very broad in nature. It is the network which is used for telecommunication all over the globe and any number of users can connect to this network, with its above quality as mentioned it's too expensive for one to setup. 

The advantages of WAN just hides all the disadvantages of it. The most and prior advantage is that any user apart from the country or region it belongs to can share data or information with one another. 

WAN comes under the service provider domain, these service providers setup the whole network and then provides the services to universities, Schools, Offices and big organizations all over the world. 

The user could connect or access the network with any device that supports the feature of accessing the internet like Smartphones, Desktop's, PC's, Laptops, Tablets, Smart-Watches, etc. 

WAN has changed the whole way of sending and receiving the data all over the earth. It has made the positive impact to the professional sectors because they could now do there business by sitting at one place and grow their business around the globe.

The basic difference between LAN and WAN is that LAN is INTRANET and WAN is INTERNET. LAN basically solves the problem at the local level or we can say at small level ground while WAN also does the same work but at global level. 

Here, in the above diagram the companies are connected with each other with the help of internet but the actual technical way of describing it is to say that "A  combination of number of LAN's collectively makes a Wide Area Network i.e. WAN , including different types of devices like Switches, Routers, etc."

Let's understand it with an example: Suppose there is a company A in Delhi and in that company there are different departments namely Accounts and Finance, IT and Management, and Development and HR department. Now, these all departments are connected with each other within the organization with the help of LAN network. 

Now the company is growing and the demand of the product development is also getting in demand in other cities and states, so the owner of company A now expand it branches in two more other States namely Uttar Pradesh and  Maharashtra. 

Now, to get the information or the data typically is to be acquired form the new branches established in two new states so, to achieve the goal of fetching the information the company owner will setup a connection between the two other branches with the help of WAN(Wide Area Network) and achieve the target and run the organization in a convenient and stress free by sitting in Delhi.

Now, you would be able to distinguish between the two WAN and LAN.