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. LANs
connect 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 of wireless network technology,
such as WiFi. 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, a WAN
connects 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 cabling
to 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.
