Types of Area Networks (LAN, WAN, MAN, CAN, HAN).

1. Local Area Network (LAN).

• Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each other in a small area such as building, office.  
• LAN is used for connecting two or more personal computers through a communication medium such as twisted pair, coaxial cable, etc.
• The data is transferred at an extremely faster rate in Local Area Network.
• Local Area Network provides higher security.

2. Wide Area Network (WAN).

• A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large geographical area such as states or countries.
• A WAN is quite bigger network than the LAN.
• A Wide Area Network is not limited to a single location, but it Spane over large geographical are through a telephone line, fiber optic cable or satellite links.
• The internet is one of the biggest WAN in the world.
• A Wide Area Network is widely used in the field of Business, government, and education.

3. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).

• A Metropolitan Area Network is a network that covers a large geographic area by interconnecting a different MAN to form a larger network.
• Government agencies use MAN to connect to the citizens and private industries.
• In MAN, various LANs are connected to each other through a telephone exchange line.
• It has a higher range than Local Area Network (LAN).

4. Campus Area Network (CAN).

• A Campus Area Network covers a moderate-sized geographic area, typically a university campus, business campus, or research facility. It is larger than a Local Area Network (LAN) but smaller than a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).
• CANs link multiple buildings and facilities within the defined campus area. These buildings can include academic departments, administrative offices, laboratories, libraries, and other structures. The network infrastructure facilitates seamless communication and data sharing among these locations.
• CANs often utilize high-speed connectivity technologies such as fiber optics or Ethernet to ensure fast and reliable data transmission. This is crucial for supporting the diverse range of applications and services required in an educational or business environment, including video streaming, online collaboration, and data-intensive research.
• The network infrastructure in a Campus Area Network is typically centrally managed. This centralized management allows for efficient administration of network resources, security protocols, and overall network performance. Centralized control helps in ensuring uniform access policies and monitoring network activities.
• CANs are designed to be scalable, accommodating the growth and evolving needs of the institution or organization. As new buildings or facilities are added to the campus, the network can be expanded accordingly. Additionally, the network should be flexible enough to support various devices, including computers, smartphones, IoT devices, and other emerging technologies.

5. Home Area Network (HAN)

• Home Area Network is a network arranged within an individual person, typically within a range of 10 meters.
• Home Area Network is used for connecting the computer devices of personal use is known as personal Home Area Network.
• Home Area Network covers an area of 30feet.
• personal computer devices that are used to develop the Home Area Network are the laptop, mobile, media player and play station.