A network set up by connecting two or more computers and other supporting hardware devices through communication channels is called a computer network.
It enables computers to communicate with each other and to share commands data etc, including the hardware and software resources.
Each computing device in a network is called a node or station. The nodes can be routers, personal computers and servers.
Data transformation is done via the network using rules known as protocols.
The nodes (like computers, switches, and modems) are the sources of generating and transmitting data. Then the link ( a transmitting media) is used to bond among the nodes.
The local area network is a computer network that operates in a small area like within an office, company, school or any other organization.
A local area network may be a wired or wireless network or a combination of both.
The devices in a LAN are generally connected using an Ethernet cable, which offers an interface to connect multiple devices like router, switches and computers.
It allows you to share or transfer files from one computer to another computer within the LAN.
For example in a bank, It can be used to send a file with the details of transactions of a customer from the server to clients.
It also allows shared access to a printer, file servers etc. For example, ten computers that are connected through LAN can use a single printer, file server fax machine etc.
It allows the clients to access to the computational power of a server.
Example- An application server as some applications which run on clients in a LAN may require higher computational capabilities.
It allows sending and receiving mails between computers of a LAN. You are required to have a mail server for this.
It also allows storing and retrieving data with the help of a database server.
MAN is a high-speed network that spreads over a large geographical area such as Metro city or town.
It is set up by connecting the local area networks using routers and local telephone exchange lines. It can be operated by private company,
or it may be a service provided by a company such as
a local telephone company.
The area covered by MAN is larger than the LAN but smaller than a WAN. Its network ranges from 5 to 50 km.
It is less expensive to set up a MAN and to connect it to a WAN.
The speed of data transfer is more than WAN.
It can send local email fast.
It allows you to share your internet connection, and thus multiple users can have access to high-speed internet.
You can easily set up of a MAN by connecting multiple LANs.
It is more secure than WAN.
WAN extends over a large geographical area. It is not confined within an office, school, city or town and is mainly setup by telephone lines, fiberoptic, or satellite links.
WAN covers distances larger than 50 km or 1000 km or more.
A WAN works by using TCP/IP protocol in combination with networking devices such as switches routers and modems.
It spans a large geographical area of 200 km or more. Example from one country to another country.
It allows your different office branches to use your head office server for retrieving and sharing data. Thus you don't need to buy emails servers, files server and backup servers etc.
It offers high bandwidth than a normal broadband connection. Thus it can increase the productivity of your company by offering uninterrupted data transfer and communication.
It helps distribute your workload to other locations. You can hire employees in different countries and assign them to work from your office.