Types of networks (LAN, WAN, MAN) and topologies (Bus, Star, Ring)

 

1. Types of Networks 🏷️

A. LAN (Local Area Network) 🏠

• Definition: A network that connects devices in a small, localized area like a home, office, or school.

• Features:

  • High-speed connections ⚡

  • Limited coverage (few meters to a few kilometers)

  • Usually privately owned

• Example: Computers in a school lab connected to one printer. 🖥️🖨️

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B. WAN (Wide Area Network) 🌍

• Definition: A network that connects devices over a large geographic area, even across countries.

• Features:

  • Slower than LAN (long-distance) 🐢

  • Often uses public networks like the Internet

  • Can connect multiple LANs

• Example: The Internet connecting offices in different cities. 🏢➡️🏢

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C. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) 🏢

• Definition: Covers a city or metropolitan area. Larger than LAN but smaller than WAN.

• Features:

  • Connects multiple LANs within a city

  • Medium-speed connections

• Example: City-wide internet for government offices or universities. 🏫🏢

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2. Network Topologies 🔗

A. Bus Topology ➖

• Description: All devices connected to a single central cable (the bus).

• Features:

  • Simple and cheap

  • Data travels in both directions along the bus

  • One cable failure can break the network

• Example: Old Ethernet networks in small offices

Diagram (Simple):

PC1 — PC2 — PC3 — PC4

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B. Star Topology ⭐

• Description: All devices are connected to a central hub or switch.

• Features:

  • Easy to manage and troubleshoot

  • Hub failure affects all devices

  • More cabling than bus topology

• Example: Modern office LAN networks

Diagram (Simple):

       PC1
        |
PC2 — Hub/Switch — PC3
        |
       PC4

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C. Ring Topology 🔄

• Description: Devices are connected in a closed loop, each device connected to two others.

• Features:

  • Data travels in one or both directions

  • Failure of one device can break the network (unless it’s a dual ring)

• Example: Some legacy office or campus networks

Diagram (Simple):

PC1 — PC2 — PC3 — PC4 — PC1

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3. Quick Comparison Table 📝

Network/Topology	Coverage/Area	Speed	Cost	Fault Impact	Example
LAN 🏠	Small area	High ⚡	Low	Low	School lab
WAN 🌍	Large area	Medium 🐢	High	Medium	Internet
MAN 🏢	City-wide	Medium	Medium	Medium	City internet
Bus ➖	Any	Medium	Low	High	Small office old LAN
Star ⭐	Any	High ⚡	Medium	Hub failure	Modern office LAN
Ring 🔄	Any	Medium	Medium	Device failure	Campus LAN

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💡 Tip:

• LAN → Small, fast, cheap

• WAN → Big, slower, expensive

• Star → Most common in modern networks

• Bus → Rare now, mostly legacy systems

• Ring → Rare, sometimes in campuses or token ring setups