What is a network?
A network is a collection of computers connected to each other. When the number of computers is interlinked with each other through the main server is known as a network. The network allows computers to communicate with each other and share resources and information among the connected computers.
Computers on a network are sometimes called Nodes.
Computers and devices that allocate resources for a network are called Servers.
Types of Network
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- Local-Area Networks (LANs): The computers are geographically together on the same premises (that is, in the same building).
- Wide-Area Networks (WANs): The computers are not located in the same area, set wide apart, and are connected by telephone lines or radio waves.
- Campus-Area Networks (CANs): The computers are within a limited geographical area, such as a campus or military base.
- Metropolitan-Area Networks (MANs): A data network designed for a town or city.
- Home-Area Networks (HANs): A network contained within a user’s home that connects a person’s digital devices.
- Global Area Networks (GANs): GAN is a model for supporting mobile communications across an arbitrary number of wireless LANs, satellite coverage areas, etc.
- Virtual Private Network ( VPNs ): A computer network in which some of the links between nodes are carried by open connections or virtual circuits in some larger network instead of through physical wires(e.g., the Internet). A VPN allows computer users to appear and edit from an IP address location other than the one which connects the actual computer to the Internet.