networking refers to the the practise of connecting two or more computers or devices so they can share information, resources and services.
OR
networking is the process of connecting computing devices to exchange data.
✅ Types of Networks
Computer networks are classified based on their coverage area, purpose, and technology used. Here are the major types:
🔹 1. PAN – Personal Area Network
Range: 1 to 10 meters
Use: For connecting personal devices.
Examples:
Bluetooth connection between phone and wireless earphones
USB-connected mouse or printer
🔹 2. LAN – Local Area Network
Range: Limited to a room, building, or small campus
Use: To connect computers within a local area
Examples:
School computer lab network
Office Wi-Fi or Ethernet
Devices Used: Switch, router, cables
🔹 3. WLAN – Wireless LAN
Same as LAN, but uses Wi-Fi (wireless signals) instead of cables
Example: Home Wi-Fi network connecting phone, laptop, and TV
🔹 4. MAN – Metropolitan Area Network
Range: Covers a city or town
Use: To connect multiple LANs in a city
Example: City-wide cable internet or university campus network
🔹 5. WAN – Wide Area Network
Range: Covers large geographical areas (countries or continents)
Use: To connect multiple LANs and MANs
Example: Internet is the best example of WAN
🔹 6. CAN – Campus Area Network
- A special type of LAN or MAN used to connect buildings in a campus (like universities or business parks)
🔹 7. SAN – Storage Area Network
Used for high-speed data storage and access (e.g., in data centers)
Not for regular internet but for data handling between servers and storage devices
🔹 8. VPN – Virtual Private Network (Logical Network)
Not a physical network, but a secure private tunnel over public internet
Use: To protect data when accessing the internet, especially remotely
Example: Employees using VPN to access company servers from home