Network

Types of Networks  

Local Area Network  

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that is confined to a relatively small area. It is generally limited to a geographic area such as a room of a building, a whole building, or adjacent buildings. In a typical LAN configuration, one computer is designated as the file server. It stores all of the software that controls the network, as well as the software that can be shared by the computers attached to the network. Computers connected to the file server are called workstations. The workstations can be less powerful than the file server, and they may have additional software on their hard drives. On most LANs, cables are used to connect the network interface cards in each computer. 

 

Fig: LAN 

 

Metropolitan Area Network  

Networks, which are bigger than LANs are known as Metropolitan Area Network. MAN covers a wide geographical area than LAN. A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) covers larger geographic areas, such as cities or districts. By interconnecting smaller networks within a large geographic area, information is easily disseminated throughout the network. A network between two buildings in different locations within a medium sized city can be referred as a MAN. The best-known example of a MAN is the cable television network available in many cities. 

One example of a MAN is the Nepal Bank Limited Network located in Kathmandu. It connects all of the branches situated in Kathmandu valley to a centralized mainframe at the New Road Headquarter office of the bank by using dedicated phone lines, coaxial cabling, and wireless communications providers. 

 

  

Fig: MAN  

Wide Area Network  

Local area networks work well but have physical and distance limitation. Because they are not adequate for all business communication, there must be connectivity between LANs and another type of environment. A network can support data communication over a state, a country or even a globe. When a network does this it is called a Wide Area Network. WAN is expanded over a very big geographical area. Using a WAN, a person in Kathmandu can communicate with places like Tokyo in a matter of minutes, without paying enormous phone bills. A good example of a WAN is the Internet. 

 

 

Fig: WAN  

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