What is Computer Networking?

There are various types of computer networks which are use these days, both domestically and commercially. These Networks are used on the basic of their scale and scope, historical and their design and implementation issues.LAN and WAN are commonly known and widely used.

LAN:

“Local Area Network was first invented for communication between two computers.”

A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that attaches computers and devices in a limited geographical area such as home, school, computer laboratory or office building. The defining features of Local Area Network in contrast to wide area network (WAN), include their usually higher data transfer rate, smaller geographic area, lack of a need for leased telecommunication lines and moderate cost. Most local area networks are built with relatively economical hardware such as  coaxial cables, network adapters and hubs, Wireless LAN and other more advanced LAN hardware options also exist.

WAN:

” Wide Area Network is a telecommunication network, usually used for connecting computers”

A Wide Are Network can be used to connect cities, countries, or even continents. WANs are often used by large operations or organizations to enable the exchange of data, and in a wide variety of industries. Corporations with facilities and office/branches at multiple locations have embraced Wide Area Network (WAN) with great enthusiasm. Increasingly, however, even small business are utilizing WAN,s as a way of increasing their communications competences. Although WAN,s serve a purpose similar to that of local area networks WAN are structured and operated rather differently. The user of o WAN usually does not own the communications lines that connect the remote computer systems; instead, the user subscribes to a service through a telecommunications provider. Unlike LAN,WAN typically do not link individual computers, but instead are to link two or more LAN,s. WAN,s also transmit data at slower speed than LAN,s. WAN are also structurally similar to metropolitan are network (MAN) but provide communications links for distances greater than (approximately) 50 kilometers. The Largest WAN in in existences is the internet. WAN have existed for decades, but new technologies, services and applications have developed over the years to dramatically increase their efficacy for business. WAN were originally developed for digital leased-line services carrying only voice, rather than data. Consequently, they linked the private branch exchange (PBXs ) of distance offices and branches of the same company.WAN are still used for voice services, but today they are used more frequently for data and image transmission (such as video conferencing).
WAN,s can be used for almost any data sharing purposes for which LAN,s can be used. Slower transmission speeds, however, may make some applications less practical for WAN,s. The most common used of WAN,s are for electronic mail and file transfer, but can also permit users at remote sites to access and enter data on central site’s database such as instantaneously updating records. New types of network based software that facilitate productivity and production tracking, such as groupware and work flow automation software, can also be used over WAN,s.WAN,s also give remote offices access to a central office’s other data communications services, including the internet.

MAN:

A Metropolitan Are Network is a network that interconnects users with computer resources in a geographic are or region larger that that covered by even a large local area network but smaller than the area covered by a wide area network. The term is applied to interconnection of networks in a city into a single larger network (which may then also offer efficient connection to a wide area network ). It is also used to mean the interconnection of several local area networks by bridging them with backnone lines. The latter usage is also sometimes referred to as a campus network.
A MAN might be owned and operated by single organization, but it usually will be used by many individuals and organizations.