A network consists of a group of computers and devices connected together to communicate with each other for the purpose of sharing information & resources.
Connections can be permanent using cable, or temporary through telephone or other communications links. The hardware used to transmit data across the network is called the media. The transmission medium can be physical using UTP copper cable, fiber optic cable or wireless.
Common types of networks can be classified as Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), Metropotilan Area Networks (MAN).
LAN (Local Area Network):
LAN is a Communications network covering a small geographically area, like a home, office or small group of buildings connecting PCs, workstations and servers together to allow users to share resources.
WAN (Wide Area Network):
A wide area network or WAN is a computer network covering a wide geographical area. Typically, a WAN consists of two or more local-area networks (LANs). WANs are used to connect local area networks (LANs) together, so that users and computers in one location can communicate with users and computers in other locations. A well known example of a WAN is the Internet.
MAN (Metropotilan Area Networks):
Metropolitan area networks, are large computer networks usually spanning a city that covers larger area than a LAN but smaller than WAN. They typically use wireless infrastructure or optical fiber connections to link their sites.
