Computer Network

Computer Network

Definition - What does Computer Network mean?

       A computer network is a group of computer systems and other computing hardware devices that are linked together through communication channels to facilitate communication and resource-sharing among a wide range of users. Networks are commonly categorized based on their characteristics.

Local Area Network (LAN)

Definition - What does Local Area Network (LAN) mean?
       A local area network (LAN) is a computer network within a small geographical area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, office building or group of buildings.
       A LAN is composed of inter-connected workstations and personal computers which are each capable of accessing and sharing data and devices, such as printers, scanners and data storage devices, anywhere on the LAN. LANs are characterized by higher communication and data transfer rates and the lack of any need for leased communication lines.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Definition - What does Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) mean?
       A metropolitan area network (MAN) is similar to a local area network (LAN) but spans an entire city or campus. MANs are formed by connecting multiple LANs. Thus, MANs are larger than LANs but smaller than wide area networks (WAN).
       MANs are extremely efficient and provide fast communication via high-speed carriers, such as fiber optic cables.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Definition - What does Wide Area Network (WAN) mean?
       A wide area network (WAN) is a network that exists over a large-scale geographical area. A WAN connects different smaller networks, including local area networks (LAN) and metro area networks (MAN). This ensures that computers and users in one location can communicate with computers and users in other locations. WAN implementation can be done either with the help of the public transmission system or a private network.

Network Topology

Definition - What does Network Topology mean?
       Network topology is the interconnected pattern of network elements. A network topology may be physical, mapping hardware configuration, or logical, mapping the path that the data must take in order to travel around the network.
       There are many identified topologies but they are not strict, which means that any of them can be combined. However, each topology has a different standard and may use different hardware methods so they are not interchangeable.

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