NETWORKING TYPES and TOPOLOGIES

TYPES of NETWORKS

LAN - Local Area Network
            LAN connects networking devices with in short spam of area, i.e. small offices, home, internet cafes etc. LAN uses TCP/IP network protocol for communication between computers. It is often but not always implemented as a single IP subnet. Since LAN is operated in short area so it can be control and administrate by single person or organization.

WAN - Wide Area Network
            As “word” Wide implies, WAN, wide area network cover large distance for communication between computers. The Internet itself is the biggest example of Wide area network, WAN, which is covering the entire earth. WAN is distributed collection of geographically LANs. A network connecting device router connects LANs to WANs. WAN used network protocols like ATM, X.25, and Frame Relay for long distance connectivity.

Wireless - Local Area Network

A LAN, local area network based on wireless network technology mostly referred as Wi-Fi. Unlike LAN, in   WLAN no wires are used, but radio signals are the medium for communication. Wireless network cards are required to be installed in the systems for accessing any wireless network around. Mostly wireless cards connect to wireless routers for communication among computers or accessing WAN, internet.

MAN - Metropolitan Area Network

This kind of network is not mostly used but it has its own importance for some government bodies and organizations on larger scale. MAN, metropolitan area network falls in middle of LAN and WAN, It covers large span of physical area than LAN but smaller than WAN, such as a city.

NETWORK TOPOLOGY

In computer networking, topology refers to the layout of connected devices. This article introduces the standard topologies of networking.

Network topologies are categorized into the following basic types:

1.       BUS topology

- uses a single backbone segment (length of cable) that all the hosts connect to directly. The idea is that is just like riding a bus. It has only one driver and many passengers who are riding.

 

2. RING topology

-connects one host to the next and the last host to the first. This creates a physical ring of cable.

 

3. STAR topology

– connects all cables to a central point of concentration. This point is usually a hub or switch. It has a focal point where all the resources are there.

4. MESH topology

– is used when there can be absolutely no break in communications. So as you can see in the graphic, each host has its connections to all other hosts. This also reflects the design of the internet which has multiple paths to any one location.

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