Types of Computer Networks

 Types of Computer Networks

Understanding the various types of networks is essential for IT and networking professionals. Here’s a brief guide to the most common network categories: PAN (Personal Area Network): A very short-range network surrounding an individual, such as Bluetooth or mobile hotspots. LAN (Local Area Network): A network within a limited area like a home, office, or single building. WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network): A LAN that uses Wi-Fi instead of wired Ethernet connections. CAN (Campus Area Network): Connects multiple LANs across a campus or large facility such as a university or industrial site. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): Covers a city or large urban region. WAN (Wide Area Network): Spans large geographic areas, potentially across countries or continents, such as the Internet. SAN (Storage Area Network): A high-speed network dedicated to providing access to shared data storage systems. VPN (Virtual Private Network): Provides a secure, encrypted private connection over a public network. System Area Network: A high-performance network used in server clusters and high-performance computing environments. EAN (Enterprise Area Network): Connects an organization’s multiple locations and internal networks. POLAN (Passive Optical LAN): A LAN built using fiber optics and passive optical splitters for high bandwidth and long distance.