Compare Network Types Flashcards
LAN
A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers connected by cabling one or more network switches that are all installed at a single geographical location.
Any network where the nodes are within about 1 or 2 km (or about 1 mile) of one another can be thought of as “local.”
Most cabled LANs are based on the 802.3 Ethernet standards maintained by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Explain x BASE- Y
The IEEE 802.3 standards are designated x BASE- Y , where x is the nominal data rate and Y is the cable type. For example:
100BASE-T refers to Fast Ethernet over copper twisted pair cabling. Fast Ethernet works at 100 Mbps.
1000BASE-T refers to Gigabit Ethernet over copper twisted pair cabling. Gigabit Ethernet works at 1000 Mbps (or 1 Gbps). 1000BASE-T is the mainstream choice of standard for most LANs.
Wireless LANs
A wireless local area network (WLAN) uses radios and antennas for data transmission and reception. Most WLANs are based on the IEEE 802.11 series of standards. IEEE 802.11 is better known by its brand name, Wi-Fi.
Wide Area Networks
Where a LAN operates at a single site, a wide area network (WAN) spans multiple geographic locations. One example of a WAN is the Internet, a global network of networks. A company dedicated to facilitating access to the Internet from local networks is called an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Metropolitan Area Networks
Metropolitan area network (MAN) can be used to mean a specific network type covering an area equivalent to a city or other municipality. Larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN.
SOHO
A small office home office (SOHO) LAN is a business-oriented network possibly using a centralized server, in addition to client devices and printers, but often using a single networking appliance to provide LAN and Internet connectivity.
Eenterprise LAN
Networks supporting larger businesses or academic institutions have networking appliances with the same basic functions as a SOHO router, but because they must support more clients with a greater degree of reliability, each function is performed by a separate network device. Each segment of the network is designed as a modular function.
Two main roles for computers in a network
—A server computer is dedicated to running network applications and hosting shared resources.
—A client computer allows end users to access the applications and resources to do work.
Datacenter
On an enterprise LAN, server computers are hosted in a separate area, referred to as a “server room.” A company with high server requirements might operate a datacenter.
A datacenter is a whole site that is dedicated to provisioning server resources.
Most datacenters are housed in purpose-built facilities. A datacenter has dedicated networking, power, climate control, and physical access control features all designed to provide a highly available environment for running critical applications.
SAN
A storage area network (SAN) provisions access to a configurable pool of storage devices that can be used by application servers. A SAN is isolated from the main network. It is only accessed by servers, not by client PCs and laptops.
SAN clients are servers running databases or applications. Provisioning a shared storage pool as a SAN is more flexible and reliable than using local disks on each server machine. SANs use connectivity technologies such as Fibre Channel and Internet SCSI (iSCSI).
PAN
A personal area network (PAN) refers to using wireless connectivity to connect to devices at a range of a few meters.
A PAN can be used to share data between a PC and mobile devices and wearable technology devices.
