| Different networks have different hardware | | | | they are used to move bits from one machine to |
| requirements. Here we would see about few of | | | | another. Where as switching elements are |
| the networks and their hardware specifications in | | | | computers which connect two or more |
| general. | | | | transmission lines together. These are now a days |
| | | | known as routers. Many different routing |
| 1. LAN: These are privately owned networks with | | | | algorithms are being used for efficient routing of |
| in a building or a room or area. They are widely | | | | the message and the transmission line. |
| used to connect the personal computers, work | | | | 4. WIRELESS NETWORKS: Modern wireless |
| stations in an office or building. LANs are | | | | systems have better performance than the basic |
| distinguished from other kinds of networks using | | | | basic digital wireless systems. These systems can |
| three characteristics: 1) Size of the network 2) | | | | be classified into three categories: 1) System |
| transmission technology being used 3) the | | | | Interconnection 2) Wireless LANs 3) Wireless |
| topology. TOPOLOGY is the arrangement of the | | | | WANs. Bluetooth is another technology being used |
| nodes in a network. The two widely used | | | | within the short range. When this technology is |
| topologies are bus topology and the ring topology. | | | | activated in a device the device is connected to |
| 2. MAN: As the name suggests, it is widely used in | | | | another device which has the bluetooth activated |
| a city. These are locally designed ad hoc systems. | | | | and hence data can be transferred. In Wireless |
| Metropolitan area network covers the entire city. | | | | LAN, a base station is wired to the Internet and |
| The best example to illustrate the network is the | | | | the nodes in the network are connected to the |
| cable network. The Internet is provided to the | | | | workstation wirelessly. Wireless Wan has a |
| centralized head end and using cables and antenna, | | | | greater area coverage. |
| the connection is distributed through the entire | | | | 5. HOME NETWORKS: Home networks will |
| city. | | | | become increasingly widespread in future when |
| 3. WAN: In WAN so many smaller communication | | | | most of the devices at home are being |
| sub-nets or just sub-nets are connected together. | | | | communicated with each other wirelessly or wired |
| the nodes in this network are known as hosts. | | | | and make the living more sophisticated. These |
| These networks have two components: | | | | networks are different from the other networks |
| Transmission Lines and switching elements. | | | | in few of the characteristics. They should be easy |
| Transmission lines are made up of copper wires, | | | | for installation. The network must be foolproof in |
| optical cables and radio links and many more and | | | | operation. |