Types of Communication Networks

Communication Networks can be of the following 5 types:

1. Local Area Network (LAN)
It is also called LAN and designed for small physical areas such as an office, a group of buildings, or a factory. LANs are used widely as it is easy to design and to troubleshoot. Personal computers and workstations are connected to each other through LANs. We can use different types of topologies through LAN, these are Star, Ring, Bus, Tree, etc. LAN can be a simple network like connecting two computers, to share files and network among each other while it can also be as complex as interconnecting an entire building. LAN networks are also widely used to share resources like printers, shared hard-drive, etc.

2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
It was developed in the 1980s. It is basically a bigger version of LAN. It is also called MAN and uses similar technology as LAN. It is designed to extend over the entire city. It can be meant to connecting a number of LANs into a larger network or it can be a single cable. It is mainly held and operated by a single private company or a public company.

3. Wide Area Network (WAN)
It is also called WAN. WAN can be private or it can be a public leased network. It is used for the network that covers large distances such as cover states of a country. It is not easy to design and maintain. The communication medium used by WAN is PSTN or Satellite links. WAN operates on low data rates.

4. Wireless Network
Digital wireless communication is not a new idea. Earlier, Morse code was used to implement wireless networks. Modern digital wireless systems have better performance, but the basic idea is the same.
Wireless Networks can be divided into three main categories:
1. System interconnection
2. Wireless LANs
3. Wireless WANs

5. Inter-Network
Inter-Network or the Internet is a combination of two or more networks. Internetwork can be formed by joining two or more individual networks by means of various devices such as routers, gateways, and bridges.