Saad Dahleb University 6-03-2021

Computer science Department

Ms. Foura
7th session
Level: 3rd year students majored in SIQ/ISIL
Duration: Sunday from 8:30H to 10:50H
Wednesday from 12:30H 14:50H

Types of networks
Outline:
1. What is a network?
2. Types of networks
What is a network?
A network is an arrangement of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines or other electronic
devices, connected together to exchange data.

Types of networks:

Local Area Network (LAN)

A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and peripheral devices that share a
common communications line to a server within a distinct geographic area. A local area
network may serve as few as two or three users in a home office or thousands of users in a
corporation's central office. Homeowners and information technology (IT) administrators set
up LANs so that network nodes can communicate and share resources such as printers or
network storage. LAN networking requires Ethernet cables and Layer 2 switches along with
devices that can connect and communicate using Ethernet. Larger LANs often include Layer
3 switches or routers to streamline traffic flows. A LAN enables users to connect to internal
servers, websites and other LANs that belong to the same wide area network (WAN).
Ethernet and Wi-Fi are the two primary ways to enable LAN connections. Ethernet is an
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) specification that enables computers
to communicate with each other. Wi-Fi uses radio waves in the 2.4 gigahertz and 5 GHz
spectrum to connect computers to the LAN.
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is a network that connects two or more devices using
a wireless distribution method and provides access to the public Internet within a limited area
such as a home, school, computer laboratory, campus, or office building. This gives users the
ability to move around within the area and remain connected to the network. Through a
gateway, a WLAN can also provide a connection to the wider Internet. Most modern WLANs
are based on IEEE standards and are marketed under the Wi-Fi brand name. Wireless
LANs have become popular for use in the home, due to their ease of installation and use.
They are also popular in commercial properties that offer wireless access to their employees
and customers.
Wide Area Network (WAN)

A wide area network (WAN) is a telecommunications network that extends over a large
geographic area for the primary purpose of computer networking. Wide area networks
are often established with leased telecommunication circuits such as: Businesses, schools
and government entities use wide area networks to relay data to staff, students, clients, buyers
and suppliers from various locations across the world. In essence, this mode of
telecommunication allows a business to effectively carry out its daily function regardless of
location. The Internet may be considered a WAN.