What is network | Types of network | Network devices

What is network? | Types of network | Network devices

What is a network?

A network is a system in which multiple computers connect to each other through guided or unguided media to share information and resources. It also consists of computer peripheral devices for the purpose of exchanging data and information. The simple network of two computers connected to each other through cable is called a peer-to-peer network. In a network, those computers connect are known as nodes. Through the computer data transfer very fast speed and less cost.

 Definition: - The computer network in which multiple computers connect to each other to share data and information.

What is IoT?

 Components of network: -

  •  Two or more computers.
  •  Computer connecting cables like (Coaxial, Fiber optic cable, twisted pair cable).
  •  NIC card (Network interface card).
  •  Network devices example: - switches.

 Types of computer network

  1.   PAN – Personal Area network
  2.   LAN – Local Area Network
  3.   MAN – Metropolitan Area Network
  4.   WAN – Wide Area Network

 1. Personal Area Network (PAN): -

Personal area network which is used in an individual person, in the range of 10meters. A personal area network is used for connecting computer devices for personal use that is known as a personal area network. PAN covers an area of approx. 30 feet. Personal devices which are used to build personal area network, for example, Laptop, Smartphones, media players, play station, and smart television.

Advantage of personal area network:-

  • It does not require space.
  • It does not use cables or wires to build a network PAN connects multiple devices at a time.
  • It is more secure than any other network.

 2. Local area network (LAN): -

In local area networks, multiple computers are connected to each other in a small area such as a building, offices. It is a private network, LAN allows users to share storage devices, printers, software, and other network devices. LAN has connected two or more personal computers through guided media such as twisted pair cable, coaxial cable, etc. the data transfer in LAN extremely fast.

Advantages of local area network: -

  • In LAN every computer communicates with each other.
  • It covers a wide range of areas of buildings and offices.
  • It allows of sharing expensive devices as a colored laser printer and storage devices.
  • All the files can be stored in the central computer and any other computers can access all the files.
  • It provides high security.

 3. Metropolitan area network (MAN): -

A metropolitan area network covers a large geographic area by interconnecting LAN. This type of network is larger than LAN, mostly MAN used medium such as optical fiber cables it is used by Government agencies to connect the citizens and private industries.

 Advantages of Metropolitan area network: -

  •  It covers a higher range than the local area network.
  •  MAN offers fast communication by using high-speed carriers, like - fiber optic cables.
  •  It covers areas of the city or an entire city.

 4. Wide area network (WAN): -

Wide area network that covers over large geographical areas such as states or country. WAN is quite bigger than LAN. A wide area network is not limited to a single location, it spreads over a large geographic area through fiber optic cables or satellite links.

 Advantages of wide area network: -

  • WAN helps to cover a large area such as state and country.
  • In WAN, Internet is the best example.
  • WAN extremely is used in business, government sectors, and education sectors.
  • In WAN computer easily communicate to long distances.

Network Devices: -

1. Hub: -

Hub is a device. This device works at the physical layer. It connects multiple networking devices. A hub also works as a repeater. This is a simple connecting device because it connects LAN devices. Hub uses both digital and analog data if its setting has been configured to prepare for incoming data. Hub doesn’t work as a packet filtering or addressing function.

 2. Switch: -

Switch generally contain more advanced features than hubs. A switch is a multiport device, that improves efficiency. Switch also improves the security level and switch control limited routing information about nodes in a network. When a switch receives the data packet then find the address by filtering it. And the packets are forwarded to that device. A switch does not display the message to whole devices like: - the hub. It increases the speed of the network.

3. Router: -

A router is a device as a switch. Routers are generally interconnected with two or more different networks. Router controls the traffic and routes between two networks. It connects two or more networks with guided and unguided mediums. This device works in the network layer of the OSI model. Nowadays wireless router is on high demand.

4. Bridge: - 

A bridge is a computer networking device and works at the data link layer of the OSI model. Bridges are used to connect multiple hosts to each other. Bridge uses hardware media access control (MAC) addresses for transfer frames. A bridge is used to convert large networks into small sections. The bridge has many features same as a hub. They connect LAN components with identical protocols. Before the sending of data, bridges check the destination address.

5. Repeater: - 

A repeater is a device which is works on the physical layer of the OSI model. A bridge is used for increasing transmission due to which signal covers a large area. Repeater regenerates the signal over the same network before the signal too weak or corrupted. An important factor of repeater does not amplify the signal. If the signal too weak, then signal bit by bit and regenerate it on original strength.

6. Modem: - 

A modem is short for modulator-demodulator. The combination of modulator and demodulator is called modem. The modem is used to transmit signals over telephone lines or cables. Digital signal Thus it converts to the analog signal. Types of modem: - Simplex, Half duplex, Full duplex.

7. Gateway: -

Gateway is a device that is used to connect two or more different networks by using different protocols. Gateway is also known as a protocol convertor. Gateway uses packet switching technology to transfer data from one computer to another computer.

Advantages of network: - 

  • Shares the resources from one computer to another computer.
  • All the data of an organization will be stored in a central server computer so, which can be accessed any time and any employee office.
  • The data transfer among the computers very fast with high security. So we can save time.
  • In a network, multiple computers connected to each other. If a computer loses data and information, then data and information can be recovered by other computers.

Disadvantages of network: - 

  • It totally depends on the main server computer.
  • If the main severe computer destroys or breakdown, then the whole connection may be destroyed.
  • The whole setup of the network is very costly.
  • There are many possibilities of cyber-attacks. And hackers steal the data and information.

Conclusion: -

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Today we gave you complete information about the network through this article of Talk5star, what is network. It is very important to know about it in today's time.
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