A computer network is a cluster of computers over a shared communication path that works to share resources from one computer to another, provided by or located on the network nodes.
Uses of Computer Networks
- Communicating using email, video, instant messaging, etc.
- Sharing devices such as printers, scanners, etc.
- Sharing files.
- Sharing software and operating programs on remote systems.
- Allowing network users to easily access and maintain information.
Types of Computer Networks
There are mainly the three major types of Computer Networks as below:
- Local Area Network (LAN)
- Wide Area Network (WAN)
- Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Local Area Network (LAN)
LAN is the most frequently used network. A LAN is a computer network that connects computers through a common communication path, contained within a limited area, that is, locally. A LAN encompasses two or more computers connected over a server. The two important technologies involved in this network are Ethernet and Wi-fi. It ranges up to 2km & transmission speed is very high with easy maintenance and low cost.
Examples of LAN are networking in a home, school, library, laboratory, college, office, etc.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
WAN is a type of computer network that connects computers over a large geographical distance through a shared communication path. It is not restrained to a single location but extends over many locations. WAN can also be defined as a group of local area networks that communicate with each other with a range above 50km.
Here we use Leased-Line & Dial-up technology. Its transmission speed is very low and it comes with very high maintenance and very high cost.
The most common example of WAN is the Internet.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
A MAN is larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN. This is the type of computer network that connects computers over a geographical distance through a shared communication path over a city, town, or metropolitan area. This network mainly uses FDDI, CDDI, and ATM as the technology with a range from 5km to 50km. Its transmission speed is average. It is difficult to maintain and it comes with a high cost.
Examples of MAN are networking in towns, cities, a single large city, a large area within multiple buildings, etc.
Advantages of Computer Network
Some of the main advantages of Computer Networks are:
- Central Storage of Data: Files are stored on a central storage database which helps to easily access and available to everyone.
- Connectivity: A single connection can be routed to connect multiple computing devices.
- Sharing of Files: Files and data can be easily shared among multiple devices which helps in easily communicating among the organization.
- Security through Authorization: Computer Networking provides additional security and protection of information in the system.
Disadvantages of Computer Network
Some of the main disadvantages of Computer Networks are:
- Virus and Malware: A virus is a program that can infect other programs by modifying them. Viruses and Malware can corrupt the whole network.
- High Cost of Setup: The initial setup of Computer Networking is expensive because it consists of a lot of wires and cables along with the device.
- loss of Information: In case of a System Failure, might lead to some loss of data.
- Management of Network: Management of a Network is somehow complex for a person, it requires training for its proper use.