What are the 4 types of network?

There are four primary types of networks based on their geographical scope and coverage:

1. Local Area Network (LAN): A LAN is a network that covers a small geographic area, typically within a single building or campus. It connects computers, servers, printers, and other devices to facilitate data sharing, communication, and resource sharing within a limited area. LANs are commonly used in homes, offices, schools, and small businesses.
2. Wide Area Network (WAN): WANs span large geographical distances, connecting multiple LANs or other types of networks together across cities, countries, or even continents. WANs utilize various communication technologies, such as leased lines, satellites, and public or private networks, to enable long-distance data transmission and connectivity. The internet itself can be considered a global WAN.
3. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): A MAN is a network that covers a larger geographical area than a LAN but smaller than a WAN, typically encompassing a city or metropolitan area. MANs are designed to provide high-speed connectivity and communication services to businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions within a specific urban area.
4. Personal Area Network (PAN): A PAN is the smallest type of network, connecting devices within an individual’s personal space, typically within a range of a few meters. Bluetooth and infrared technologies are commonly used to establish PANs, enabling devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and personal accessories to communicate and share data wirelessly.

Network services refer to functionalities or capabilities provided by networks to facilitate communication, data sharing, and resource access. Common types of network services include:

1. File Services: Network file services enable users to store, access, and manage files stored on remote servers or network-attached storage (NAS) devices. Examples include file sharing protocols like NFS (Network File System) and SMB (Server Message Block).
2. Email Services: Email services allow users to send, receive, and manage email messages over a network. SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) and IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) are examples of protocols used for email communication.
3. Web Services: Web services facilitate access to information and resources hosted on web servers over the internet or intranets. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (HTTP Secure) are protocols used for accessing websites and web applications securely.
4. Network Security Services: Network security services include functionalities such as firewall protection, VPN (Virtual Private Network) services, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and authentication mechanisms to safeguard networks and data from unauthorized access, threats, and vulnerabilities.

The three basic types of networks based on their configuration and structure are:

1. Peer-to-Peer Network: In a peer-to-peer network, computers or devices communicate directly with each other without the need for a central server. Each device can act as both a client and a server, allowing users to share resources such as files and printers directly.
2. Client-Server Network: A client-server network architecture involves centralized servers that provide resources and services to client computers or devices connected to the network. Clients request and access resources (such as files, databases, or applications) from servers, which manage and control access to shared resources.
3. Hybrid Network: A hybrid network combines elements of both peer-to-peer and client-server architectures to optimize resource sharing, scalability, and network management. Certain resources may be shared directly between peers, while critical services and centralized resources are managed by dedicated servers.

LAN, WAN, and MAN are terms used to describe specific types of networks based on their geographical coverage:

1. LAN (Local Area Network): A LAN covers a small geographic area, such as a single building, office, or campus. It typically connects devices within close proximity using Ethernet cables or wireless technologies like Wi-Fi.
2. WAN (Wide Area Network): A WAN spans large geographical distances, connecting multiple LANs or networks across cities, states, or countries. WANs utilize various transmission technologies, such as leased lines, fiber optics, and satellite links, to enable long-distance data communication.
3. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): A MAN covers a larger geographical area than a LAN but smaller than a WAN, typically encompassing a city or metropolitan area. MANs provide high-speed connectivity and communication services to businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions within a specific urban area.