Types of Networks

Common Terms – networking terms and topologies that are commonly used
Book Terms – networking terms that are not so common and you don’t need to be able to recite them unless you are taking a networking exam

Common Terms

We have already gone over most of these previously so I am just going to summarize them.

WAN – Stands for Wide Area Network and is most commonly known as the Internet however a WAN is just a collection of LANs put together. Companies and Governments also tend to have internal WANs.

LAN/WLAN – Stands for (Wireless) Local Area Network and tends to assign IP addresses for local use. In some cases you may be assigned an IP address to use over the internet but this is rare. There is no difference between a LAN and WLAN aside from the fact that one doesn’t need cables and is wireless.

VPN – Stands for Virtual Private Network and is used to make it appear as though your device is physically plugged into a different network. There are three main types.

• Site-To-Site VPN : The client and server are Network Devices, typically either Routers or Firewalls, and share entire network ranges. This is most commonly used to join company networks together over the Internet, allowing multiple locations to communicate over the Internet as if they were local.

• Remote Access VPN : It connects your device to a private network by creating an encrypted tunnel, making your computer appear as if it is inside that network. Other devices then see the VPN server’s IP address rather than your own, which adds a layer of security.

• SSL VPN : Stands for Secure Sockets Layer VPN and rather than downloading VPN software, it runs directly in your browser and they can stream applications or desktop sessions.

Book Terms

GAN – This stands for Global Area Network and whilst the Internet is one of them, international companies also have them as they connect multiple WANs to connect company computers worldwide. This is typically done though international undersea cables or satellite transmission.

MAN – Stands for Metropolitan Area Network and is used to connect multiple LANs over a local area e.g. a city. Instead of sending sensitive corporate files over the public internet, which can slow down during peak traffic hours, the company rents or uses direct high-speed optical fiber cables. Because these fiber links are direct and high-powered, sending a file to an office 10 miles across town feels just as fast as sending a file to the printer in the next room. Internationally companies can then plug these MANs into a WAN(for countries/continents) or a GAN(for global reach).

PAN/WPAN – Stands for (Wireless) Personal Area Network and is used to connect devices for data exchange. These typically span a few meters and are therefore not suitable for connecting devices in a home/building.