Network types can be categorized based on their geographical size and scope. LANs are connected to form WANs, and the biggest WAN is the Internet. PANs are used to connect personal devices over a very short range.
| Type | Full Name | Scope / Size | Example | Key Technology for Programmers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAN | Local Area Network | Small geographical area (a single home, office building, or school campus) | All the computers and devices in a single office sharing a printer and an Internet connection. | Ethernet (wired), Wi-Fi (wireless) |
| WAN | Wide Area Network | Large geographical area (cities, countries, continents) | The Internet itself is the largest example of a WAN. Connecting a company's office in New York to its branch in London. | Routers, Fiber-optic lines |
| PAN | Personal Area Network | Very short range (a few meters) | Connecting your phone to your Bluetooth headphones or a mouse to a laptop. | Bluetooth, NFC |
Within enterprises it is common to use an intranet. An intranet is a private network that functions like a scaled-down, secure version of the public Internet, designed specifically for use by the employees of a single organization. Intranets are protected against unauthorized access from outside by means of firewalls.
The main purpose of an intranet is to serve as a company's internal digital hub, facilitating secure communication, collaboration, and centralized resource management.
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