A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. Two very common types of networks include: Local Area Network (LAN) Wide Area Network (WAN)

Types of Computer Networks

• Personal Area Network (PAN)
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN)
• Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
• Campus Area Network (CAN)
• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
• Storage Area Network (SAN)
• System-Area Network (SAN)

7 Types of Computer Networks Explained

• PERSONAL AREA NETWORK (PAN) This is the smallest and most basic network that you’ll find.
• LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN)
• WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK (WLAN)
• METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK (MAN)
• WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN)
• STORAGE AREA NETWORK (SAN)
• VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK (VPN)

The Network allows computers to connect and communicate with different computers via any medium. LAN, MAN and WAN are the three major types of the network designed to operate over the area they cover. There are some similarities and dissimilarities between them.

A computer network comprises two or more computers that are connected—either by cables (wired) or WiFi (wireless)—with the purpose of transmitting, exchanging, or sharing data and resources. Computer networks enable communication for every business, entertainment, and research purpose.

A network is a collection of computers, servers, mainframes, network devices, peripherals, or other devices connected to allow data sharing. An example of a network is the Internet, which connects millions of people all over the world.

Computer network is a telecommunication channel using which we can share data with other coomputers or devices, connected to the same network. It is also called Data Network. The best example of computer network is Internet.

Computer networks are of many different types such as Personal area network (PAN), Local area network (LAN), Metropolitan area network (MAN), Campus area network (CAN), Storage area network (SAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN).

To understand the different types of network technologies, it is advisable to first learn about the different types of networks. There are broadly three types of networks. These are the LAN (Local Area Network), MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network).

Generally there are two types of network connections: Peer-to-Peer and Network Shared environment. In a Peer-to-Peer environment, each computer directly sends and receives data to each device. There is no central server controlling file access or printer sharing.