What is a network? Common types and uses

In the digital age, every business process, management task and form of communication is shaped by networks. Networks matter not only to how businesses run but also in our daily lives. Still, many people are unclear about what a network is and the benefits it brings. In this article, Mona Media shares what you need to know about networks and how they are used in everyday life and in business.

What is a network?

A network is a group of connected devices, including computers, server, network equipment and peripherals, linked together to share resources, exchange files and communicate.

A network connects computers and electronic devices through telephone lines, cables, radio waves, satellites or infrared.

Common types of networks today

Many types of networks exist to meet different needs. Five are the most common and widely used:

Local Area Network (LAN)

A Local Area Network (LAN) is very common in daily life and shows up almost everywhere. At home, in a company, an office, a cafe or a school, you can easily find a LAN.

A LAN connects two or more personal computers through a transmission medium such as coaxial cable or twisted-pair cable.

A LAN covers a fairly small geographic area, though still larger than a PAN.

Global Area Network (GAN)

As the name suggests, a Global Area Network (GAN) is a worldwide network made up of many networks connected together, with no limit on geographic distance.

Unlike a LAN or WAN, a GAN connects many computers across a very wide geographic area. A GAN is used to support mobile communication across several wireless LANs. The main challenge for a GAN is handing a user's communication over from one local coverage area to the next.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a group of local networks that communicate with each other, used to connect computers across a large geographic area over a shared transmission line. What sets this type of network apart is that it is not tied to a single location. It can extend across many sites over a wider area through telephone lines, fiber optic cable or satellite links.

WANs are widely used in education, business and government.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) connects several nearby LANs together. A MAN usually runs on high-performance fiber optic cable and carries larger amounts of data, faster than the Internet.

MANs are commonly used by banks within a city, in universities and colleges, in the military and so on.

Personal Area Network (PAN)

A Personal Area Network (PAN) lets all devices within a 10-meter radius connect and share resources. Common examples of a PAN are Apple's AirDrop and Bluetooth.

Devices that typically use a PAN are laptops, mobile phones, tablets, music players and base stations.

What is the difference between a public network and a private network?

Public Network is a public connection mode that anyone can join. In this mode, the data you share is not visible on the LAN. Other people will not see your computer on the LAN, which protects the data on your computer from strangers viewing or copying it.

Private Network, by contrast, is a private connection mode. If you set this mode on a computer, it assumes you are connected to the internet at home or at the office. The data you share will then be visible on the LAN. Sharing data through a Private Network is necessary because home and office are trusted places on a shared network.

In short, set Public network when you are on a public internet connection, and Private network when you are connected at home or at the office. Each time you change location, just choose the network mode again. You won't need to cancel shared folders and files or reconfigure data sharing, which would take a lot of time.

Uses of networks

Networks are becoming more important for organizations, businesses and even individuals. Here are some common uses of networks today:

Sharing information and resources

The first use of a network is that it lets users share information and resources anytime, anywhere.

A network lets businesses with departments in different locations share information quickly and efficiently. It also lets different users share hardware such as printers and scanners.

Remote access to information

Through a network, users can retrieve information remotely, quickly and easily. Everything uploaded to the Internet is stored in remote databases, and users can access it from anywhere through information systems such as World Wide Web (WWW).

Fast, convenient communication between people

As user demand keeps growing, networks have been upgraded in speed and communication capacity more than ever. Two or more people can now communicate and work together remotely, splitting up a project over the network.

Greater reliability and information security

A network makes the information sent and received more accurate because it is updated in real time. Important data can also be stored in several places across the network.

So when one computer fails, the others keep running and serving as normal, and data transfer is not affected. Data stays well protected, and users don't have to worry about losing it.

Pros and cons of networks

Advantages of networks

Networks have several notable advantages:

• Easy to access: Modern networks are designed to be easy to explore so anyone can use them. Even a child or someone new to technology can get used to them and connect easily.
• Convenient resource sharing: Through a network, users can conveniently share data and resources with many other users anytime, anywhere. They can also share hardware such as printers and photocopiers among different users.
• Easier connection: Networks improve connectivity between many people in many places around the world. Even if you and your family are half a world apart, you can still communicate easily by messaging, calling, video calls and more.
• Safe: Networks protect information and data through authorization. Access is granted through user IDs and passwords, which keeps stored data safe.
• Lower costs: This is a big advantage for businesses and organizations. With a network, a company can store data in one place and cut the cost of storing files.
• Money transfers: Thanks to internet, Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G and 5G connections, bank and financial transfers have become far more convenient and simple. A few taps and the transfer is done quickly.

Disadvantages of networks

Besides the advantages above, networks also have drawbacks, such as:

• Limited security: A network makes it easy for users to share information. But it also means computer viruses and malware can spread more easily between computers on the network, so user data can be stolen at any time.
• Vulnerabilities: When a network is created, it introduces new ways to access computers remotely. These new access routes can create new vulnerabilities for users, computers and data on the network.
• Complexity: Networks are complex. Setting up and managing a network for a business or company takes someone with plenty of experience and strong technical skills.

That is everything about networks and how they are used in the life and operations of businesses and organizations. We hope this article gives readers a clearer picture of what a network is and why it matters in the digital age.