1. Topic 3
INTERNET TECHNOLOGY
3.1 Network Basics
3.1.2 Classification of Network

2. Learning Outcome
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
• Differentiate among Local Area Network
(LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) and
Wide Area Network (WAN).

3. Network Topology Recap
1. Which of the following statements describe network
topology correctly?
a. Devices attached or detached at any point on the
network.
b. The failure of device on the network.
c. Refers to the configuration of cables, computers and
other peripherals.
d. All of the above.

4. Network Topology Recap
2. On a __________, all of the computers and devices on
the network connect to a central device.
a. Bus network.
b. Ring network.
c. Star network.
d. All of above.

5. Network Topology Recap
3. On a star network, the central device that provides a
common connection point for nodes on the network is
called the ____________.
a. Hub.
b. Personal computer.
c. Printer.
d. File server.

6. Network Topology Recap
4. On a bus network, if one node fails ________.
a. Only that node is affected.
b. Only the nodes before that node are affected.
c. Only the nodes after that node are affected.
d. All the nodes are affected.

7. Network Topology Recap
The transmission of data is relatively simple
as packets travel in one direction only.
5. The statement above is referred to the ____________.
a. Bus network.
b. Ring network.
c. Star network.
d. All of the above.

8. Classification of Network
 Networks usually are classified as a:
 Local Area Network (LAN).
 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).
 Wide Area Network (WAN).
 The main differentiation among these
classifications is their area of coverage
(distinguish by the geographical area each
network serves).

9. Local Area Network (LAN)
 A local area network (LAN) is a network that
connects computers and devices in a limited
geographical area.

10. Local Area Network (LAN)
Main characteristics of LAN:
 Areas of coverage: LANs located within the same
building (closely positioned group of buildings)
such as a home, school computer laboratory,
office building.
 Distance: LANs span (cover) distance less than a
mile.
 Ownership: LANs are owned and operated by
individual organizations.

11. Types of LAN:
Personal Area Network (PAN)
 Personal Area Network (PAN) is a type of wireless
network that works within a very small area—
your immediate surroundings.
Headphone
Smartphone
Laptop PDA
Mouse Printer

12. Types of LAN:
Home Area Network (HAN)
 Home Area Network (HAN) is a type of network
for homes allowing different computers to share
resources, including a common Internet
connection.

13. Advantages & Disadvantages of
LANs
 Advantages:
 Hardware and software can be shared.
 All the users work can be stored in a central place.
 Data can be shared because database files stored in
the server are available to users around the network.
 Disadvantages:
 Printing can be slow, long print queues may develop.
 A virus can spread more easily.
 As data is shared there is a greater need for security.

14. Metropolitan Area Network
(MAN)
 A metropolitan area
network (MAN) is a
high-speed network that
connects local area
networks (LANs) in a
metropolitan area.

15. Metropolitan Area Network
(MAN)
Main characteristics of MAN:
 Areas of coverage: MANs connect various
locations such as campuses, offices, and
government, that are frequently used as links
between buildings.
 Distance: MANs span (cover) distance up to 100
miles (161 km).
 Ownership: MANs are owned by a group of users
who jointly own and operate the network.

16. Type of MAN:
Campus Area Network (CAN)
 Campus Area Network (CAN)
is a type of a computer
network interconnecting a
few local area networks
(LANs) within a university
campus or corporate campus.
 Campus area network may
link a variety of campus
buildings including
departments, the university
library and student halls of
residence.

17. Wide Area Network (WAN)
 A wide area network
(WAN) is a network that
covers a large
geographical area.

18. Wide Area Network (WAN)
Main characteristics of WAN:
 Areas of coverage: WANs located within a
countryside and worldwide networks, (such as a city,
country, or the world) using a communications
channel that combines many types of media such as
telephone lines, cables and radio waves. The Internet
is the world’s largest WAN.
 Distance: WANs span (cover) distance greater than
100 miles.
 Ownership: WANs have no ownership.

19. Types of WAN:
Enterprise Private Network (EPN)
 Enterprise Private Network (EPN) is a type of
network built by an enterprise to interconnect
various company sites, e.g., production sites,
head offices, remote offices, shops, in order to
share computer resources.
Frequency
Band
Production site Head offices

20. Types of WAN:
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
 Virtual Private Network (VPN)
is a type of private network
built over public
infrastructure. By using a
number of security
mechanisms, including
encryption, a VPN allows
users to securely access a
network from different
locations using a public
telecommunications network,
most frequently the Internet.

21. Advantages & Disadvantages of
WANs
 Advantages:
 These are similar to those of LAN's except the scale of
sharing etc. becomes far greater and can be world-wide.
 Disadvantages:
 Again these are similar to those of LAN's except that
issues such as security become even more important as
potential hackers could break into a computer system
from anywhere in the world rather than having to
physically be in a building.
 Encryption of secure data such as financial transactions is
necessary because it is even easier to capture data.

22. Topic Review
Q1: What are the advantages of using a Network?
Q2: How are a Star Network, Bus Network, and Ring
Network different?
Q3: How are LANs, MANs, and WANs different?