Each network is structured differently and can be set up individually. For this reason, so-called
typesandtopologieshave been developed that can be used to categorize these networks. When reading about all the types of networks, it can be a bit of information overload as some network types include the geographical range. We rarely hear some of the terminologies in practice, so this section will be broken up intoCommon TermsandBook Terms. Book terms are good to know, as there has been a single documented case of an email server failing to deliver emails longer than 500 miles but don't be expected to be able to recite them on demand unless you are studying for a networking exam.
| Network Type | Definition |
|---|---|
| Wide Area Network (WAN) | Internet |
| Local Area Network (LAN) | Internal Networks (Ex: Home or Office) |
| Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) | Internal Networks accessible over Wi-Fi |
| Virtual Private Network (VPN) | Connects multiple network sites to one LAN |
| Global Area Network (GAN) | Global network (the Internet) |
| Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) | Regional network (multiple LANs) |
| Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) | Personal network (Bluetooth) |