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Table Of Contents  The TCP/IP Guide
 9  Networking Fundamentals

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

Types and Sizes of Networks

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

Note: As with other networking fundamentals discussions, if you have some background or experience in networking, you may not need to read everything in this section. I'd suggest scanning the headings of the various topics here to get a handle for what you feel you need to read.


Quick navigation to subsections and regular topics in this section



Previous Topic/Section
Network Structural Models and Client/Server and Peer-to-Peer Networking
Previous Page
Pages in Current Topic/Section
1
Next Page
Local Area Networks (LANs), Wireless LANs (WLANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs) and Variants (CANs, MANs and PANs)
Next Topic/Section

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