Discuss and compare various types of networks.

Based on geographical spread, networks can be of four types:

1. LAN (Local Area Network) — Small computer networks that are confined to a localised area such as a building or­ factory, are known as Local Area Networks (LANs). LANs have geographical spread of upto 1 km.
2. WAN (Wide Area Network) — The networks spread across countries or on a very big geographical area are known as WANs. The WANs link computers to facilitate fast and efficient exchange of information at lesser costs and higher speeds. The largest WAN in existence is the Internet.
3. PAN (Personal Area Network) — It is the interconnection of information technology devices within the­ range of an individual person, typically within a range of 10 meters. PAN could also be interconnected without wires to the Internet or other networks.
4. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) — MAN refers to a network that is spread over an area as big as a city.

Based on component roles, network can be of two types:

1. Peer-to-Peer networks — Computers in peer-to-peer network can act as both servers sharing resources and as clients using the resources. A peer-to-peer network has upto ten computers.
2. Client/Server Networks — Server-based networks provide centralized control of network resources and rely on server computers to provide security and network administration. A client computer requests and utilizes network resources and a server is dedicated to processing client requests. Bigger networks prefer to have this type of network with centralized control.