October 28, 2026

…INTRODUCTION TO NETWORK…

*NETWORKING

By RETROX

1 min read

…INTRODUCTION TO NETWORK…* NETWORK

A network is a group of things like computers, people that are connected together to share information and resources

  • TYPES OF NETWORK

1: PAN : (Personal Area Network): A tiny network around just one person

Eg: connecting your phone to Bluetooth headphones.

2: LAN : (Local Area Network): A small network in one building

Eg: home Wi-Fi connecting your laptop, phone and TV

3: WLAN : (Wireless LAN): A LAN that works without cables using Wi-Fi

Eg: coffee shop Wi-Fi.

4: MAN : (Metropolitan Area Network): A medium network that covers an entire city

Eg: A city's cable TV network.

5: WAN : (Wide Area Network): A huge network that covers countries or the whole world

Eg: Internet

6: SAN: (​Storage Area Network):A high-speed network that connects computer systems to large storage devices

Eg: bank of hard drive

7: VPN : (Virtual Private Network) is a service that keeps your internet connection private and secure.

*DIFFERENT TYPES OF NETWORK DEVICES

  1. Modem

* Work: Changes internet signals into computer data.

* Purpose: Brings the internet into your building.

  • Use: You plug it into your wall line to get online.
  1. Router

* Work: Directs internet traffic to your devices.

  • Purpose: Shares one internet line with many devices.
  • Use: gives Wi-Fi to your phones and laptops.
  1. Switch

* Work: Sends data directly between connected computers.

  • Purpose: Connects many wired devices together.
  • Use: Plugs computers and printers together in an office.
  1. Hub

* Work: Copies data and sends it to all connected devices.

  • Purpose: Connects devices in a basic way.
  • Use: Used in older networks to join a few computers
  1. Access Point

* Work: Turns a wired network into a Wi-Fi signal.

  • Purpose: Makes Wi-Fi reach farther away
  • Use: Put on ceilings in large buildings for better Wi-Fi.

6: Firewall

* Work: Scans incoming data for danger.

  • Purpose: Keeps bad internet traffic out.
  • Use: Protects your network from hackers and viruses.
  1. Network Interface Card (NIC)

* Work: Lets a device connect to a network.

  • Purpose: Gives every computer or phone a network address.
  • Use: Built inside every laptop so it can plug into a cable or use Wi-Fi.
  1. Load Balancer

* Work: Spreads internet traffic across many servers.

  • Purpose: Keeps busy websites from crashing.
  • Use: Used by big online stores so they don't slow down when many people visit at once.