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A computer network refers to the hardware (computers, cables
etc) and software (operating systems etc) which are inter-connected
to communicate and share data. At the most basic level, a
computer network can be comprised of just a single device
to send data and a single remote device to receive the data.
Because of the geographical difference in the scope of computer
networks, there has been a process to classify these differences.
Provided below is a list of the most common types of geographical
computer network.
BAN - Body Area Network - Comprises communication
between sensors placed on the human body.
CAN - Campus Area Network - Refers to a number of
LAN's connected together at governmental and educational buildings
such as college's and universities.
HAN - Home Area Network - As the name would suggest,
a HAN is the connection of network enabled devices in a domestic
home.
LAN - Local Area Network - The scope of a LAN is larger
than that of a HAN and smaller than that of a CAN. A LAN is
typically the network of computers placed in a school or a
small office.
MAN - Metropolitan Area Network - Larger than a CAN,
a MAN covers a wide metropolitan area - such as city centre
- and incorporates high capacity (backbone) networking hardware.
PAN - Personal Area Network - Refers to communication
from and between small handheld devices - such as mobile phones,
smartphones, bluetooth etc.
WAN - Wide Area Network - The largest of the geographical
computer networks listed on this page. WAN's connect regional
and national computer networks together.
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