Ever since computers became a staple in the workplace, people have been utilising different kinds of networks. Through the use of a network a company can benefit from several advantages. One of the main benefits of networking is the ability to share files and resources. Employees can access files and information stored on other computers in the office - aiding collaboration and reducing the need to constantly save files to flash drives. In addition, if there is a central database or storage system then anyone that is connected to the network can access and edit the files. With a network everyone can use the same resources. Rather than having to buy a printer to connect to each individual computer, with a network the printer can be added and everyone on the network can use it. Networks are hugely useful and can be used for many different things. Due to the varying network requirements needed by companies and individuals many different types of network have evolved.
Most networks are categorised and labelled in terms of their scale or scope. You should confuse the types of network with network topology which refers to the physical and logical layout of a network. Different types of network are usually labelled as some form of 'area network'.
On the smaller side of the scale, a small business will usually only require one or two local area networks. A local area network (or LAN) is probably one of the earliest forms of network still in use to today. A LAN is a network that connects devices that are in close proximity to each other, such as in an office or a school. It can be wired, often through the use of Ethernet, or it can be a WLAN, a wireless local area network. Some companies will have one, two or three LANs in an office depending on their requirements and the size of their business.
Larger companies, with offices spread over large geographical distances, may make use of a WAN. A WAN, or wide area network, is created when LANs that are separated by a large physical distance are connected together. Most companies will not own their own WAN but will utilise WAN services. WANs are particularly good for connecting offices that are spread around the country or around the world, but there are other types of network that may be more appropriate for mid-size requirements where a WAN is too big and a LAN too small.
A CAN, or a campus area network, is made up of several LANs but can cover a larger area than a local area network. Campus area networks, as the name might suggest, are generally used to connect different buildings on a campus. A complex of office buildings may be connected with a CAN and this type of network is often used by universities and colleges. For users that want greater network scope than a CAN but less than a WAN, a metropolitan area network might be an appropriate choice. A metropolitan area network (or MAN) can cover a large physical area such as a city and is usually managed by a government body or a big corporation.
When a business has set up their company network they may further customise their network and add extra functionality. Some companies set up their system so that employees access the internet via the network, this means that they can implement monitoring systems and content filtering. A popular option is to set up a company intranet. An intranet is a private network where members of the company can access resources, information and use communications systems like instant messaging and internal email. The intranet is usually behind a firewall so that unauthorised external access is not possible. If a company works in the business-to-business sector or needs to make certain resources available to clients they may extend their intranet and create an extranet. An extranet is where access from outside the company is available for business purposes such as the sharing of information or for e-commerce.
Employees may need to access the company network or intranet when they are out of the office and this is done through remote access. In order to protect the privacy and security of confidential data and information, many businesses will use a business VPN (or a virtual private network) to provide a more secure connection. They may also use a VPN to provide external users with secure access to the extranet. A VPN uses encryption and tunnelling protocols to provide a secure connection when users are using a public network - in most cases, the internet. Companies may also use an enterprise private network to connect their different office locations.
There are many different network options, from the very small to the huge. You can even set up a personal area network (a PAN) that is based on an individual person and the network that is created between their personal devices, like mobile phones, laptops and tablets. Depending on the size of a company different types of network will be used, small companies may only need a LAN, while global corporations may need to utilise a MAN or a WAN. Using a network in a business environment can be hugely useful for file and resource sharing, collaboration and interacting with other businesses or clients.
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