Networks
NETWORKS
Introduction
·
A computer network is a group of
interconnected computers and devices that can communicate and share resources
(such as files, printers, and internet access).
·
Based on the geographical area covered, networks
are classified as:
·
LAN – Local Area
Network
·
MAN – Metropolitan
Area Network
·
WAN – Wide Area
Network
LAN (Local Area Network)
·
A Local Area Network (LAN) connects
computers and devices within a limited geographic area such as a home,
office, school, or hospital building.
Key Features
- Covers
a small area (up to a few kilometers).
- High
data transfer speeds (up to 1 Gbps or more).
- Owned,
managed, and maintained by a single organization or individual.
- Uses
Ethernet cables, Wi-Fi, or fiber optics.
Advantages
- High-speed
data transfer.
- Low
setup and maintenance cost.
- Easy
resource sharing (files, printers, applications).
- High
security and reliability within the premises.
Disadvantages
- Limited
to a small area.
- Network
congestion in large LANs if not managed well.
Examples
- A
hospital's internal network connecting OPD, lab, pharmacy, billing, etc.
- Computer
lab in a college.
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
·
A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) covers
a larger geographic area than a LAN, such as a city or a group of
buildings (e.g., a university campus or city hospitals network).
Key Features
- Covers
a range of 5–50 kilometers.
- Intermediate
data transfer speeds (faster than WAN, slower than LAN).
- Can
be owned by a single organization or service provider.
- Often
uses high-speed fiber optics.
Advantages
- Suitable
for connecting multiple LANs within a city.
- Enables
resource sharing across offices/branches.
- Cost-effective
for city-wide communication.
Disadvantages
- More
expensive than LAN.
- Requires
more complex equipment and management.
- Can
be affected by external disturbances like power failure, weather.
Examples
- Network
connecting all branches of a hospital in a city.
- City-wide
cable TV or broadband internet network.
WAN (Wide Area Network)
·
A Wide Area Network (WAN) spans a very
large geographic area, such as states, countries, or even continents.
·
The Internet is the largest example of a
WAN.
Key Features
- Covers
thousands of kilometers.
- Low
to moderate data transfer speeds (compared to LAN).
- Owned
by multiple organizations, service providers.
- Uses
public communication links like telephone lines, satellites, fiber optics.
Advantages
- Enables
global communication and data sharing.
- Allows
remote access to services and systems.
- Centralized
data management across countries.
Disadvantages
- High
setup and maintenance cost.
- Slower
speed due to long-distance transmission.
- Vulnerable
to cyber threats and data breaches.
Examples
- Internet.
- Bank
network connecting ATMs across the country.
- Telemedicine
services across states or countries.
Comparison Table: LAN vs MAN vs WAN
|
Feature |
LAN |
MAN |
WAN |
|
Full Form |
Local Area Network |
Metropolitan Area Network |
Wide Area Network |
|
Coverage Area |
Small (building, campus) |
Medium (city) |
Large (country, globe) |
|
Ownership |
Private |
Private / Public |
Public / Private (shared) |
|
Speed |
High (up to 1 Gbps+) |
Moderate (100 Mbps–1 Gbps) |
Lower (up to 100 Mbps) |
|
Cost |
Low |
Medium |
High |
|
Setup Complexity |
Simple |
Moderate |
Complex |
|
Example |
Office network |
City hospital network |
Internet, international banking |
Applications in Hospitals
- LAN:
For patient records, OPD-IPD systems, lab reports within one hospital
building.
- MAN:
To connect multiple branches of a hospital or labs within a city.
- WAN:
For cloud-based Hospital Information Systems (HIS), telemedicine, and
coordination with national health portals (e.g., Ayushman Bharat DB).
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