Describe types of networks Flashcards
Types of Networks
Local Area Network (LAN)
A LAN connects devices within a limited geographic area, such as a home, office, or campus. It typically offers high-speed connections.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
A WAN covers a larger geographical area, such as a city, country, or even globally. The internet is the most common example of a WAN.
Personal Area Network (PAN)
A small network typically used for connecting personal devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, within a limited range (usually within a few meters).
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
A network that covers a larger area than a LAN but is smaller than a WAN, typically within a city or metropolitan area.
Campus Area Network (CAN)
A network that connects multiple LANs within a specific campus, such as a university or a corporate campus.
Storage Area Network (SAN)
A specialized network designed to provide access to consolidated, block-level data storage, often used in data centers.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A private network that extends across public networks (like the internet) to enable secure communication between remote devices and the main network.