networktype

Network type is a classification used to describe a computer network based on geographic scope, ownership, and intended use. The main categories are local area networks (LANs), campus area networks (CANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), and personal area networks (PANs).

Local area networks are confined to a single building or campus, typically privately owned, and optimized for high speed and low latency. Common technologies include Ethernet and Wi‑Fi. Campus area networks extend the LAN concept to a larger campus or group of buildings, often using the same technologies and managed as a single administrative domain.

Metropolitan area networks span a city or metro region, and may be public or private. They often rely on fiber or wireless links and provide connectivity between multiple sites at multi-gigabit speeds. Wide area networks cover broad geographic areas such as countries or continents, usually built from leased lines, MPLS, or the public Internet, and typically prioritize reliability and long-haul capacity over ultra-low latency.

Personal area networks operate in the immediate vicinity of a person, usually within a few meters, using Bluetooth, Zigbee, or small-scale WLANs for peripheral devices and sensors. Other network types exist, such as neighborhood networks or enterprise-wide backbone networks, but LAN, CAN, MAN, WAN, and PAN remain the conventional framework.

Design considerations for a network type include topology, media, protocols, addressing, security, scalability, and management. Interconnection between network types occurs through routers and gateways, with the Internet representing the largest WAN connecting networks worldwide. Understanding network type helps determine appropriate equipment, budgeting, and service level expectations.