Networks can be classified based on the physical area (Geographical) or distance that the network covers. The range is starting from small personal networks to large global networks.Documentation Index
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PAN (Personal Area Network)
A PAN is a network that is used for communication between devices in close proximity.- Range: 1 to 10 meters
- Technologies: Bluetooth, NFS, USB
- Example: Smartphone connecting to a wireless headset or a smartwatch
LAN (Local Area Network)
A LAN is one of the most common types of networks, which is used to connect devices within a limited area.- Range: A single room, a home, or a building
- Technologies: Ethernet, Wi-Fi
- Example: A home network connecting computers, smartphones, and printers
CAN (Campus Area Network)
A CAN is a network that connects multiple LANs within a limited/specific geographical area. It’s bigger than a LAN but smaller than a city-wide network.- Range: University campus, corporate headquarters
- Technologies: Fiber optics, Switches
- Example: A university campus network connecting different departments, libraries, lecture halls, etc
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
A MAN is a network that covers an entire city or a large town/campus. It’s often used to connect mulitple LANs across a town.- Range: City or large town/campus
- Technologies: Fiber, Microwave links
- Example: A city’s free public Wi-Fi network or a university campus network connecting multiple buildings across the city
WAN (Wide Area Network)
A WAN is a network that covers a large geographical area, such as multiple cities, countries, or even continents. WANs are used to connect smaller networks (like LANs and MANs) over long distances, but they do not necessarily span the entire globe.- Range: Country, continent, or intercontinental
- Technologies: Leased lines, Satellites, Internet
- Example: A multinational company’s private network connecting offices in different countries; the Internet as a collection of interconnected WANs
GAN (Global Area Network)
A GAN is a network that covers the entire globe. It is essentially a network of WANs, providing worldwide connectivity. The Internet is the best-known example of a GAN, as it connects billions of devices globally using a combination of satellite, undersea cables, and other technologies.- Range: Global
- Technologies: Satellite communication, Undersea cables
- Example: The Internet, which is a global network connecting billions of devices worldwide