Network+Types

**NETWORK TYPES**
A **computer network** is composed of multiple connected [|computers] that communicate over a wired or wireless medium to share data and other resources. For instance, a home computer network may consist of two or more **computers** that share files and a printer using the network. The size and **scalability** of any computer network are determined both by the physical medium of communication and by the software **controlling** the communication (i.e., the [|protocols]).

An intranet is a set of interconnected networks, using the Internet Protocol and uses IP-based tools such as web browsers, that is under the control of a single administrative entity. That administrative entity closes the intranet to the rest of the world, and allows only specific users. Most commonly, an intranet is the internal network of a company or other enterprise.
 * Intranet**

A **extranet** is network or internetwork that is limited in scope to a single organization or entity but which also has limited connections to the networks of one or more other usually, but not necessarily, trusted organizations or entities (e.g., a company's customers may be provided access to some part of its intranet thusly creating an extranet while at the same time the customers may not be considered 'trusted' from a security standpoint). Technically, an extranet may also be categorized as a CAN, MAN, WAN, or other type of network, although, by definition, an extranet cannot consist of a single LAN, because an extranet must have at least one connection with an outside network.
 * Extranet**

A specific internetwork, consisting of a worldwide interconnection of governmental, academic, public, and private networks based upon the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) developed by ARPA of the U.S. Department of Defense – also home to the World Wide Web (WWW) and referred to as the 'Internet' with a capital 'I' to distinguish it from other generic internetworks. Participants in the Internet, or their service providers, use IP Addresses obtained from address registries that control assignments. Service providers and large enterprises also exchange information on the reachability of their address ranges through the Border Gateway Protocol.
 * Internet**

There are also other types of network such as the following:

A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network used for communication among computer devices (including telephones and personal digital assistants) close to one person.
 * **Personal Area Network (PAN)**

A network covering a small geographic area, like a home, office, or building.
 * **Local Area Network (LAN)**

A network that connects two or more LANs but that is limited to a specific and contiguous geographical area such **as a college campus**, industrial complex, or a military base. A network that connects two or more Local Area Networks or CAN together but does not extend beyond the boundaries of the immediate town, city, or metropolitan area. Multiple routers, switches & hubs are connected to create a MAN
 * **Campus Area Network (CAN)**
 * **Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)**

A WAN is a data communications network that covers a relatively broad geographic area (i.e. one country to another and one continent to another continent) and that often uses transmission facilities provided by common carriers, such as telephone companies. Global area networks (GAN) specifications are in development by several groups, and there is no common definition.
 * **Wide Area Network (WAN)**
 * **Global Area Network (GAN)**

===**[|Four tips for building better wireless networks]**===
 * ARTICLE:**

How much performance capability do companies expect when they deploy a wireless network? Chances are, not enough -- especially as [|wireless] becomes a mainstream part of the New Data Center infrastructure. "It's a misconception -- a very common one -- that [|wireless LAN] performance is always poor," says David Newman, a Network World Test Alliance partner and president of Network Test. "People say, 'It's just wireless; what do you expect?' In fact, wireless LANs can be made to perform quite well, but it does involve thinking some about network design." Here then, courtesy of Newman and other wireless experts, are four tips for optimizing a wireless network and improving application performance. //(extract of article by Jon Brodkin, NetworkWorld)//