Levels Of Networks

Levels Of Networks

1. Networks allow devices to share information

2. LAN

   • Local Area Network
   • A LAN covers a small geographical area located on a single site
   • LANs are either wired or wireless
   • Lots of devices are connected to a LAN like a PC, smartphones and smart TVs
   • You will find LANs in schools and universities
   • LAN owned by the organisation that uses it
   • Sharing files is easier and you can connect with other LAN users cheap and easily

3. WAN

   • Wide Area Network
   • A WAN connects LANs in different geographical locations
   • Unlike a LAN, organizations hire infraestructure for WAN because it is expensive to set up a WAN
   • WANs are connected by by using fibre or copper telephone lines, satellite lines and radio links
   • Internet is the biggets WAN
   • A WAN can be used for business in three different countries

4. PAN

   • Personal Area Nnetwork
   • PAN is a wireless network connected with mobile devices such as mobile phones
   • Examples include Bluetooth and infared
   • Transit data over a short distance of 10 meters

5. Factors that affect networks

   • Bandwidth - the amount of data that can be transferred in a given time. 200Mbps(megabits per second). the greater the bandwidth the better the network can perform
   • Wired connections are faster and more reliabloe than wireless connections
   • too many people sharing a network can affect the bandwidth and slow down the computer
   • Fibre optic cable can give a better performance than a copper cable
   • Choice of hardware and topologies have a mass effect