The network includes:

The network operating system in the client and server machines.

The cables connecting them.

All supporting hardware in between such as bridges, routers and switches. 

In wireless systems, antennas and towers are also part of the network.

LAN - Local Area Network WAN - Wide Area Network WLAN - Wireless Local Area Network MAN - Metropolitan Area Network SAN - Storage Area Network PAN - Personal Area Network EPN - Electronic Payments Network

VPN - Virtual Private Network

LANs can be set up at a home, an office, or at a school. 

Many computers can be connected to share information and Internet connections.

Most LANs use Ethernet to connect together.

Computers connected to a wide-area network are often connected through public networks(e.g. Telephone Systems, leased lines or satellites.)

The internet itself is the largest existence of WAN.

An example of where MANs are used, are the networks on a campus of a university. 

MANs use different technologies than LANs. Today, most MANs are done using fibre optic cabling.

A SAN moves storage resources off the common user network and reorganises them into an independent, high-performance network. 

This allows each server to access shared storage as if it were a drive directly attached to the server. 

When a host wants to access a storage device on the SAN, it sends out a block-based access request for the storage device. 

Usually Within A Range of 10 metres.

An Example Is EBAY.

A VPN enables a computer or network-enabled device to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if it were directly connected to the private network, while benefiting from the functionality, security and management policies of the public network.

The introduction of the internet to the school, through fibre optics in the junior school.

The LAN networks which compromise the junior school IT community and the senior school IT community.

The MAN network of the two LAN's of the school combining.

The EPN Network is also present due to large sums of money transfers in which the school is involved in.

As networks involve everything from cables to computers, the school's surveillance system comes into perspective.

At least 50 cameras situated all through out the school.

Servers are computers that are assigned the responsibility of certain tasks for the whole network.

Also provides, services for other computers.

Client computers are regular desktop, laptop or mobile computers that connect to a network.

Shared Devices

Printers are connected over a network.

May connect to a network hub or switch, using either a USB Connection or and Ethernet Cable.

Hubs, Routers and Switches

The purpose of all three of these devices is to connect the devices in a network.

Also may have WiFi capabilities.

Routers connect two or more separate networks.

Hubs receive data and broadcast it.

Switches are the smarter version of routers.