Networks are part of the proper functioning of companies. Every day we use them for everything, from printing a document to connecting remotely to our computer resources and information.
Therefore, choosing the right network for your business is a critical issue. Depending on the characteristics of your company, networks could be as simple as a small number of connected devices or as complex as an entire global connection.
But why are computer networks useful?
- They facilitate communication through different electronic devices.
- They allow multiple users to share the same device.
- They enable file sharing.
- They support remote access to computers and programs.
In this article, we will explain the different types of computer networks that exist and how they work.
Personal Area Network (PAN)
This is the most basic type of computer network. The PAN network has different devices connected in a range of ten meters: telephones, printers, a wireless modem, and personal computers.
Usually, the location of personal area networks is small offices or residences. The management of this type of computer network runs from a single device. It also can operate over the Internet without wires.
Local Area Network (LAN)
Maybe you’ve already heard about this. Local area networks are made up of interconnected workspaces to share information and devices.
Like the PAN network, LAN covers a limited geographical area, such as an office or a set of buildings.
However, it differs from the PAN network because of its wide communication range, the speed to transfer data, and the number of devices that can be connected.
To monitor and maintain the LAN, you can use protocols and tools for network management .
Wide Area Network (WAN)
This type of computer network connects several devices located over long distances. For this reason, they can communicate remotely no matter how far they are.
The most common example of a WAN network is the Internet, which connects millions of devices around the world. Therefore, due to its complexity, managing this type of computer network is public and is the responsibility of several administrators.
Storage Area Network (SAN)
If what is needed is high speed and performance, the SAN network will always be the best option.
The SAN consists of hosts, switches, and storage devices that are connected using different protocols.
This type of network has an almost total availability since it stores the data in a block, allowing to allocate the resources in the most efficient way possible.
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Virtual Private Network (VPN)
With this type of network, you can guarantee a safe connection with any other network through the Internet.
Usually, companies use this type of computer network to remotely access the company’s local network.
For instance, an employee can work from anywhere in the world using the company’s technological resources as if he were inside the facilities.
Due to its security features, the VPN also serves to monitor the activities and private data.
Thus, your company can’t be tracked by third parties. This is critical considering that it’s a public connection.
Besides, it also increases the performance of the system to download information online.
Now that you have a broader picture of the different types of networks, you can access our checklist to manage a company’s network. Download it for free by clicking below.
