BASIC NETWORK TYPES

Basic Network Types

Network types are often defined by function or size. The two most common 
categories of networks are: 
• LANs (Local Area Networks)
• WANs (Wide Area Networks)

A LAN is generally a high-speed network that covers a small geographic
area, usually contained within a single building or campus. A LAN is 
usually under the administrative control of a single organization. Ethernet is 
the most common LAN technology. 

A WAN can be defined one of two ways. The book definition of a WAN is a 
network that spans large geographical locations, usually to connect multiple 
LANs. This is a general definition, and not always accurate. 
A more practical definition of a WAN is a network that traverses a public or 
commercial carrier, using one of several WAN technologies. A WAN is often 
under the administrative control of several organizations (or providers), and 
does not necessarily need to span large geographical distances. 

A MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) is another category of network, 
though the term is not prevalently used. A MAN is defined as a network that 
connects LAN’s across a city-wide geographic area. 

An internetwork is a general term describing multiple networks connected 
together. The Internet is the largest and most well-known internetwork.