Types of Network, Application And Advantages

Network Definition, Types, Applications, Advantages

What is Network

The Network is the interconnection between computers, laptops, servers, smartphones and other network devices for communication, data sharing, data transporting, data exchanging, operations.

Computer, laptops, smartphones are the greatest device which makes easy our works. Most of the time in the office, business and other places we have a need to share and transfer data between computers. This is possible by creating a network. First, the concept of the network comes with the computer. The connection of two or more computer through switches, modem, routers are called Network. Nowadays we connecting all the devices like smartphones, televisions, and many other devices for our requirements.

Network Examples

1. The telephone communication system is a network which connects the no. of Telephones and helps us to communicate with the people.
2. INTERNET is the biggest network in the world. It connects millions of computers, smartphones, servers around the world.
3. When you share files, data with your friends using wifi, Bluetooth etc then it is also called a network.
4. The cable services in your home also a network which connects the televisions to the Satellite.

Types of Network

There are many procedures of connection of computers, servers and other devices. According to the procedure of connection of the computers and range of area, there are many types of network available which are,

1. Peer-to-Peer Network
2. Server-based network
3. PAN (Personal Area Network)
4. WPAN(Wireless Personal Area Network)
5. LAN (Local Area Network)
6. WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)
7. CAN (Campus Area Network)
8. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network )
9. WAN (Wide Area Network)
10. SAN (Storage Area Network)
11. EPN (Enterprise Private Network)
12. VPN (Virtual Private Network)
13. Inter-Network

Peer-To-Peer Network

The peer-to-peer network is the oldest and simplest network system. It is the network system in which only computers or mobiles are connected. There is no SERVER is connected. It is the smallest area network.

Examples

1. When we play games on our mobile with no. of friends by connecting the mobiles through the Bluetooth or wifi then it can be called a peer-to-peer network. Here no server is required.
2. The other example of the Peer-to-peer Network is communication with the walkie-talkie. By using the walkie-talkie we can communicate with the no. of people in a short area.

Advantages

1. It is the simplest network system.
2. No server required.
3. Easily identify problems.
4. High-speed communication.

Server-Based-Network

In the server-based network system, the services are provided from a server to the different computer. A user can store data on the server hidden or open to all. Other users can access that data which are open to all by logging in the server. 

Suppose in your office 10 employees working you can connect their computer to a server. The data and information which are required for all employees. They can easily use that data.

Advantages

In the server-based-network system, the server provides services to the all connected user. If all user needs the same files, data, information then these data, information, files can be provided by the server to all user. The users have not to need to store these data, files individually on their computer.

A company or office can make a local website and can host to this server. This makes easy the working procedure of the company or office.

PAN (Personal Area Network)

This is the smallest network system. The connection between two mobiles or two computers or between a computer and a mobile can be called a personal area network. This total network system can be used by the only one user. This network system we used our home, offices etc.

Examples

1. The connection of mobile and computer through USB cable.
2. Bluetooth
3. RFID also an example of PAN.
4. Remote control of television, Air-conditioner are the examples of Personal Area Network.

Advantages

1. It helps us to send files, data one phone to another phone.
2. It helps us to print, scanning of documents by the printer, scanner.
3. Using PAN we can easily transfer data, files from computer to mobile and mobile to computer.
4. The connection of projector to the computer and connection of the computer to television also called PAN.

WPAN(Wireless Personal Area Network)

WPAN is the same as PAN the only difference is that the connection is wireless by means of a radio wave. The examples of WPAN are Bluetooth, wi-fi etc.

LAN (Local Area Network)

It is also a simple and most usable network system. A local area network is located in one physical location so maybe a single office or a single floor in a building. LAN may be server-based network or peer-to-peer network.

Suppose in an office 20 employees working they have individual computers. There is one printer and the printer is connected to all computers. It can be called a local area network. The computers also connected to each other.

The computers may be connected to one server for data storage so each individual employee can store data on the server.

Characteristics of Local Area Network(LAN)

• The local area network may be consist of minimum two computers up to thousands of computers.
•  As the local area network exists in a short area the speed of the data transfer, communication is very high.

Applications

1. Local area network is the most usable network.
2. Local area network is used offices, schools, ships etc.
3. Local area network is used in small companies for controlling of computers, machines, and also used in the automation system.
4. Local area network helps to connect CCTV cameras in a building.

Advantages of Local Area Network(LAN)

1. It is a simple and low-cost network system.
2. As in this system one printer, the storage area can be used by more than one user that is why the Local Area Network(LAN) system can save investment, extra expenses in industry, office.
3. This network system gives more privacy and security from data hacking etc.
4. Internet connection can be shared over the all LAN user from a single internet connection.

WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)

WLAN is the same as the LAN. The WLAN system uses wireless connection technology (like Wi-Fi technology). The WLAN uses high-frequency radio wave to connect the computers, servers for transmission of data, information, files.

CAN (Campus Area Network)

This types of network are used for railway platforms, college campus, airport to provide internet connection, monitoring systems.

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network )

The connection of computers, servers of a whole city is called Metropolitan Area Network. It is larger LAN. These services are provided by a private company. MAN can be created by the connection of several LANs together.

Examples 

1. Cable TV services can be called Metropolitan Area Network.
2. Municipal wi-fi networks can be called MAN.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

Wide Area Network is the network all over a state or country. The WAN may be the connection of several MANs or LANs together. WAN is larger than MAN.

Examples

1. INTERNET is an example of the Wide Area Network.
2. ATM also the example of WAN
3. Telephone service

Advantages

1. INTERNET can be served all over the state or country by the Wide Area Network.
2. The communication around the whole country is possible by the Wide Area Network.

Disadvantages of WAN

1. The setup cost is very high.
2. Maintenance cost also very high.
3. Security is not good.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

VPN is used to create a virtual network or IP address. VPN does secure the privacy. When we access the Internet through the internet service provider they registered an IP address for our internet connection. ISP can see our website visit history, in fact, our personal data. But when we using VPN ISP cannot see our website visit history and others.

Uses of VPN

1. Actually, the main uses of VPN are privacy and security. You can use VPN for your private work like official, business works. VPN gives safety and security. Your ISP cannot see your work and also any other hackers also cannot hack your data.
2. Using VPN you can hide your browsing data from your internet service provider. When you use public wi-fi then VPN can your connection more secure.
3. Many websites, contents are blocked by the government in a particular country. To visit that sites and get that contents you have to need use VPN.
4. VPN helps to watch live streaming and download files from restricted sites. VPN also for downloading torrents or any other files.

Advantages of VPN

1. It gives more security of internet connection.
2. It gives full privacy
3. It can hide your true location.

Disadvantages of VPN

1. When we using internet with VPN the speed of the internet becomes slow.
2. VPN consume network traffic too much.