Network Types
Definition
Network types describe how networks are categorized by the size of the area they cover and the technologies they commonly use. Understanding LAN, MAN, WAN, PAN, CAN, and WLAN helps you choose the right design, performance expectations, and security controls.
Examples
- A home router connects devices on a LAN, while the ISP link connects that LAN to a WAN (the internet).
- A university uses a campus network to connect buildings, and also operates WLAN for student devices across the same area.
LAN: Local Area Network
A LAN connects devices within a limited area such as a home, office, or single building. Most LANs use Ethernet switching, where devices communicate quickly with low latency. LANs are the foundation of most organizational networks, supporting local access to printers, file shares, internal apps, and the default gateway that routes traffic to other networks.
From a security perspective, the biggest risk in many LANs is over-trust. If everything sits on one flat LAN, a compromised device can often discover systems, probe services, and move laterally. Stronger LAN designs use segmentation, such as VLANs and internal firewall rules, to reduce the blast radius of a compromise.
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