What is a Computer Network?- Types & Basic of Network

Hey guys, do you want to know all the details about what is a computer network? So in this post today, I am going to talk to you about the basic knowledge of computer networks, Like what is a computer network, advantages and disadvantages of computer networks, networking devices Today we will talk about all these points in this post. 

• What is a Computer network?
• Types of networks?
• Benefits of a computer network?
• Disadvantages of a computer network?
• Networking devices?

What Is a Computer Network?

When one or more computers are connected to each other with the help of a communication channel, it is called a computer network. Information and resources are shared with the help of a computer network.
Example Of: Like when we talk with our friends, a network is created at that time. A system is designed when two or more devices connect over a distance.

The official definition of the Computer network:

A group of computer networks is connected together through a communication channel to facilitate communication and resource sharing among a wide range of users.

When two computers share information with each other, the two machines are connected by communication satellite, microwave, copper wire or fiber optics cable. With the help of a hub or switch, two computers are connected to each other. When two computers are connected with network files, folders, applications, all these types of information shared with each other.

Benefits of Computers Network:

Nowadays, whatever communication, resources, and information we share, all this is possible due to computer networks. There are two ways we can use computer networks such as Information sharing & resource sharing. 

Information Sharing:

sharing data or any information has become possible for all users, sharing or accessing data has become possible for the users of any area. If you want to share information about the video, audio, and photos or any format, we can share with each other with the help of e-mails or chatting. We can share information about any product, technical, movies, or cooking through the internet.

Resource sharing:

With the help of computers network, we share the resources of these two methods, hardware and software. Users can share such information in hardware resources such as printers, modems, fax machines. 
In a network, We can install and configure only one copy of each software and share it with other computers. this method can save a lot of time and cost

Disadvantages of Computer Networks:

Computer networks require proper administration and maintenance. 

The valid time of the organization may be lost if the server fails, and programs and files can be lost.

The computers are connected to each other with the help of cables, and if there is any defect in the wires, then network can spread.

Types of Computer Network

It is very much a part of the computer network; hence the system is divided into different like

• LAN (Local Area Network)
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
• WAN (Wide Area Network)
• CAN (Campus Area Network)
• PAN (Personal Area Network)

LAN (Local Area Network): 

LAN means a local area network. LAN is very easy for designing and troubleshooting. Local area network is mostly used in offices and factory. With the help of LAN, office workstations and personal computers can be interconnected with each other. It is easy to share information and resources with the local area network. All the machines in the local area network are connected to each other by a single cable. All devices in a local area network are connected in a different topology such as bus, ring, star, and tree. LAN is a private network used in offices, campuses, and buildings.

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network):

MAN means Metropolitan Area Network. Metropolitan Area Network is a bigger network of Local Area Network. 

Official definition: 
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) is interconnected users with the computer resources in a geographical area more significant than that covered by a LAN and smaller than covered by WAN.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

WAN means the Wide Area Network. WAN is a telecommunication network that extends over a large geographical area. WAN is used when users want to communicate long distances. WAN is mostly used for transferring data in large format. WAN is used while talking with someone outside the country. With the help of WAN, users from other countries can share audio, video, and information in all formats. WAN is the best network for communicating long distances. This type of communication is not possible for LAN and MAN.

CAN (Campus Area Network):

CAN means Campus Area Network. Campus Area Network is made for the interconnection of LAN within a limited geographical area. Switches, routers, and data transmission cables are owned by the owner in a campus area network. 

Campus Area Network is used when the university needs to connect to a department of a college, such as a library, student hall. 

PAN (Personal Area Network):

PAN Means Personal Area Network. Personal Area Network is designed and organized by an individual person. Personal Area Network is used when you share some kind of data with your friend through a Bluetooth and infrared connection. The pan can cover a maximum range of 10 meters. Personal Area Network can be considered as a LAN, which can be designed for one user or group.

Different Types Of Networking Devices: 

HUB:  All network requires central location to bring segment together, these central locations are called as a hub.

Switch: A switch device provides bridging functionality with greater efficiency

Router:  Routers are devices that connect two or more networks. 

Bridge: The bridge can check the destination address of the frame and decide if a framework should be forwarded or dropped. 

Modem: The modem is used to connecting aa telephonic line. A modem converts digital data into an analog signal and puts it on a telephonic line.

Conclusion:

Nowadays, with the help of the internet, we can communicate in any area and transfer or access data. To demonstrate one device to another, different types of networks can be used, such as LAN, WAN, MAN, PAN, and CAN. 

Final Words:

In this post, I have told you about what is a computer network. What is a Computer network? Types of networks? Benefits of a computer network? Disadvantages of a computer network? Networking devices? You will find full details of networking devices in another post. 

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