1. Wide Area Network (WAN)
1.1. Definition : A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a network that connects devices in a large geographical region, such as multinational company or national retail chain
1.1.1. Example of WAN: a) The Internet is the world’s largest WAN b) Distributed database application (ATM Banking System) c) Traffic light system in a country
1.2. Characteristics of WAN
1.2.1. Area of Coverage
1.2.1.1. A wide area network (WAN) is a network that connects computers and devices in a wide geographical area such as a multinational company or a national retail chain. *Internet is the world’s largest WAN.
1.2.2. Network Ownership
1.2.2.1. Multiple Ownership / Shared Ownership / Distributed ownership.
1.2.2.2. Example : Distributed database applications (ATM banking system).
1.2.3. Transmission Media
1.2.3.1. WANs use a variety of wired and wireless transmission media.
1.2.4. Communications Devices
1.2.4.1. WAN uses devices such as switch, hub, router, and wireless access point and communication satellite to connect multiple wired or wireless networks together over wide geographical area.
2. ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF WANs
2.1. Advantage
2.1.1. Allow users on the network to share resources, such as data, information, resources, programs, in a wide geographical area between different cities, states, countries, or even continents.
2.2. Disadvantage
2.2.1. - More susceptible to external threats like hacking, DDoS attack: and data breaches. - Lower-speed data transfer compared to Local Area Network du to the wide geographical area scope.
3. Local Area Network (LAN)
3.1. Definition : A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that connects computers and devices in a limited geographical area such as a home, a school or small office complex.
3.1.1. Example of LAN : Home network, School Network.
3.1.2. Each computer or device on the network is called a node.
3.1.3. It often shares resources, such as printers, large hard drives and programs.
3.1.4. Often, the nodes are connected via cables.
3.2. Characteristics of LAN
3.2.1. Area of Coverage
3.2.1.1. A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that connects computers and devices in a limited geographical area
3.2.1.2. such as a home, a school or small office complex
3.2.2. Network Ownership
3.2.2.1. LANs are owned and operated by single person or organization.
3.2.3. Transmission Media
3.2.3.1. LAN can be wired or wireless transmission media.
3.2.4. Communications Devices
3.2.4.1. LANs use devices such as switch, hub, modem, router or wireless access point to connect multiple devices on a single wired or wireless network
4. ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF LANs
4.1. Advantage
4.1.1. - Allow users on the network to share resources, such as printers, scanners, large hard drives, data, programs, in a limited geographical area. - High-speed data transfer compared to Wide Area Network due to the limited geographical area scope.
4.2. Disadvantage
4.2.1. - More susceptible to internal threats like unauthorized access and malware, viruses and worms. - Local Area Networks are typically limited to a single building or campus due to physical distance limitations and signal attenuation.