Asked by Reckon

Identify abd and distinguish 3 types of computer network

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Answered by GPT-4o mini
Computer networks can be categorized based on various criteria such as scale, architecture, and topology. Here are three common types of computer networks, along with their characteristics:

### 1. **Local Area Network (LAN)**
- **Definition**: A LAN is a network that connects computers and devices in a limited geographical area, such as a home, school, or office building.
- **Characteristics**:
- **Size**: Typically small, covering a few meters to a few kilometers.
- **Speed**: High speed, often gigabit speeds (1 Gbps or higher).
- **Ownership**: Usually owned and managed by a single organization or individual.
- **Examples**: Home networks, office networks, and school networks.

### 2. **Wide Area Network (WAN)**
- **Definition**: A WAN spans a large geographic area, often connecting multiple LANs that are separated by considerable distances.
- **Characteristics**:
- **Size**: Can cover cities, countries, or even continents.
- **Speed**: Generally lower speeds compared to LANs due to the longer distances involved; however, advancements in technology are improving WAN speeds.
- **Ownership**: Typically owned and managed by multiple organizations or service providers.
- **Examples**: The Internet, corporate networks connecting different office locations, and cellular networks.

### 3. **Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)**
- **Definition**: A MAN is a network that covers a larger geographic area than a LAN but is smaller than a WAN, typically spanning a city or a large campus.
- **Characteristics**:
- **Size**: Typically spans a range of 5 to 50 kilometers.
- **Speed**: Generally offers higher speeds than WANs and may support data rates similar to LANs.
- **Ownership**: Can be owned by a single organization or a consortium of organizations, or may be operated by a service provider.
- **Examples**: City-wide Wi-Fi networks, fiber-optic networks connecting multiple buildings in a metropolitan area.

### Summary
- **LAN**: Local, high-speed, single-owner networks.
- **WAN**: Wide, lower-speed networks connecting multiple LANs across large distances.
- **MAN**: Mid-range networks, faster than WANs, covering cities or large localities.

Understanding these networks helps in designing appropriate solutions for different networking needs based on scale and intended use.

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