WAN and LAN by Nicolas

Local Area Network

Nicolauze — 2016-03-07 09:57:46 UTC

Computer networks that connect computers over a small distance, such as within one building, are LAN networks.
Using A LAN connection many computers can be connected to share information.
A LAN network can be organised in many different ways, topologies describe how all the devices in the network are connected.

Wide Area Network

Nicolauze — 2016-03-07 10:04:11 UTC

As opposed to a LAN, a Wide Area Network (WAN), connects computers over a much larger distance, for example globally.

A Wide Area Network can be used to connect many Local Area Networks together across large distances.
The Internet is an example of a WAN, as it is a network of networks that covers great distances.

Nicolauze — 2016-03-07 10:08:14 UTC

Nicolauze — 2016-03-07 10:08:36 UTC

The Lesser Area Networks...

Nicolauze — 2016-03-07 10:12:58 UTC

Local Area Networks and Wide Area Networks are the two main types of network, however there are other types that are variations upon those two fundamental types.

Personal Area Network (PAN) - Limited to a room
Campus Area Networks (CAN) - Limited to a campus
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) - Specific metropolitan area

Nicolauze — 2016-03-07 10:23:07 UTC

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The Connection

Nicolauze — 2016-03-07 10:24:18 UTC

The Local Connection

Nicolauze — 2016-03-07 10:24:20 UTC

The Connection

Nicolauze — 2016-03-07 10:24:28 UTC

The most common methods of transmission across a LAN are via Ethernet/Fiber-optic and/or WiFi, though fiber-optic is mainly used between switches. Many networks nowadays are based partly or entirely on wireless systems due to the increase in smartphones, tablets, and laptops and also the ease with which wireless networks can be set up.

For a WAN fiber-optic, telephone lines, and radio wave transmission are the primary method of moving data over the larger distances (between other smaller networks) due to the speeds they support. Across the network ADSL, Wimax, and 4G are commonly used.

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), is a shorter range (< 4km) cable that transmits signals via the phone lines.
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) is a group of wireless communications standards, with an effective range of < 30km (though signal is very weak at 30km).
Fourth Generation (4G), is a type of mobile communications technology (the fourth generation, following 3G), where 2G providing basic telecommunications (phone calls, texts), 3G made it possible to access the internet through a mobile phone, 4G however provides a wireless service fast enough for 'heavier' data use.

The connection

Nicolauze — 2016-03-07 10:24:29 UTC

Nicolauze — 2016-03-07 10:49:22 UTC

Nicolauze — 2016-03-07 11:15:24 UTC