Types of communication networks: definition and explanation

Types of communication networks definition and explanation

What are communication networks?

We all know the Internet. Otherwise, you would not be reading this article now. Most of us connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi, but have you wondered what the difference is between them? 

A network is a group of mainframe computers, network devices, and other devices linked together in a way that allows the exchange of data and information. The most important example of a communication networks is the Internet, which connects millions around the world.

There are several network architectures commonly used to transmit messages between people. These networks can provide different privacy guarantees

Types of communication networks

There are different types of communication networks and they meet the needs of different and multiple users. Depending on the need.

1. WLAN wireless local network: A WLAN provides a wireless network connection that covers short distances using radio waves or infrared waves instead of traditional network cables. A local network can be created using different wireless network protocols, and the most common types of wireless networks are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The term wireless network is often confused with Wi-Fi. This is of course a wrong confusion because the wireless network is much broader than Wi-Fi.
2. LAN: A local area network connects a group of devices that are relatively close together, such as a school or home. Sometimes a single building may contain several small local networks, and the local network may extend to connect a group of adjacent buildings. It can be owned by one person or organization. They are often based on Ethernet and Token Ring protocols.
3. WAN: As its name indicates, a wide area network spans really large distances, and the Internet is the largest wide area network on Earth. A wide area network consists of a group of geographically dispersed local networks. Local networks are connected to the wide area network using a network device called a router. A wide area network (WAN) differs from a local area network (LAN) in several important ways. Most WANs (like the Internet) are not owned by any organization and are collectively owned or distributed management. WANs tend to use protocols such as ATM, Frame Relay, and X.25 to achieve communication over long distances.
4. MAN – Metropolitan Area Network: The urban network extends over an area larger than the local area network and smaller than the wide area network, such as a city or province, and is usually owned by a government agency or a large company.
5. PAN – Personal Area Network: A personal network is a computer network that is set up for personal use only. It usually includes a computer, phone, printer, tablet, or other device.
6. There are other types of networks, but they are less common, such as Controller Area Network (CAN) and body area network (BAN).

How are LAN and WAN connected?

• At home, we usually use a local area network and connect it to the Internet with our ISP via a modem, which is a small device that connects to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to take advantage of all the Internet's resources. The connection is via a cable (regular cable or fiber optic cable) or home telephone line (ADSL) that runs from outside your home to the jacks on the back of your modem. Your ISP provides a wide area network (WAN) IP address, and all computers on your home network use LAN IP addresses.

• All computers on a local area network (LAN) can communicate directly with each other, but they must pass through a central network gateway, usually used with a modem. A router is a device that enables you to share your modem's Internet connection with all of your devices or that allows them to access your network.

• The router and modem are usually combined into one hybrid device (often called a router, which is also a common mistake) over an Ethernet cable and passes the Internet connection to other devices in your home either via cable or wirelessly via a Wi-Fi network.

What type of internet?

Many types of the Internet can be classified into:

1. Mobile.
2. WIFI hotspots.
3. Phone call.
4. Broadwave.
5. DSL.
6. cable.
7. Satellites.
8. ISDN.

Strengthening the signal of communications networks

Many people suffer from weak Internet signals from time to time, which prevents them from working and causes inconvenience. Below we will explain how to maintain a strong signal for communication networks.

• Make sure to place the Internet router high above the ground. Basements, tunnels, and basements are poorly connected.
• Covering a limited area of ​​space. A router that covers an area exceeding its capacity, and instead of covering two streets, covers five, will work less efficiently.
• Place the router in an open, not narrow place so that the air flow can reach it so that its temperature does not rise.
• Periodic inspection and frequent maintenance of the router to give it a longer working life