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The TCP/IP Guide  9  Networking Fundamentals

Network Structural Models and Client/Server and Peer-to-Peer Networking 1 Local Area Networks (LANs), Wireless LANs (WLANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs) and Variants (CANs, MANs and PANs)

One of the reasons that understanding networks can be difficult at times is that there are so many different types! When someone talks about a “network”, this can mean anything from two computers hooked together in an apartment to a globe-spanning entity with millions of nodes. Every network is unique, and each one has an important role to play in filling the communication and data-sharing needs of different individuals and organizations. In fact, the great diversity and flexibility of networking is one of its most important strengths.

In this section I describe the major types of networks that exist by drawing distinctions between them based on their size and scope, and show how each type and size is used. I begin with a discussion of LANs, WLANs and WANs, and a few variations on these three main categories. I explore the many terms that are related to the various sizes of networks and how they are used, including segments, subnetworks, internetworks, intranets and extranets

Network Structural Models and Client/Server and Peer-to-Peer Networking 1 Local Area Networks (LANs), Wireless LANs (WLANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs) and Variants (CANs, MANs and PANs)