Categories of Networks: LAN and WAN

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Questions and Answers

What is a Point-to-Point WAN used for?

It is used to connect a home computer or a small LAN to the Internet Service Provider (ISP).

What is the purpose of a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)?

It covers the area inside a town or a city and provides a network with a size between a LAN and a WAN.

What is an internetwork or internet?

When two or more networks are connected, they become an internetwork or internet.

How many Point-to-Point WANs are required to connect the LANs to the switched WAN in the given example?

Three Point-to-Point WANs are required. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of reference models for network architecture?

<ol> <li>OSI model (Open Systems Interconnection model) 2. TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of layered architecture in reference models?

Layered architecture describes how data and network information are communicated from an application on one computer to another, in terms of different layers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the analogy used to explain the concept of layers in our daily life?

The analogy of two friends communicating through postal mail is used. Signup and view all the answers

How many activities are involved in the sender side of sending a letter?

There are three activities involved in the sender side of sending a letter. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the middle layer in sending a letter?

The middle layer involves the letter being picked up by a letter carrier from the mailbox and delivered to the post office. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the lower layer in sending a letter?

The lower layer involves the letter being sorted at the post office and transported by a carrier. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two primary categories of networks?

Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical size limitation of a Local Area Network (LAN)?

A few kilometers Signup and view all the answers

What are the three most common LAN topologies mentioned in the text?

Bus, ring, and star Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of Wide Area Network (WAN) mentioned in the text?

Switched WAN and Point-to-point WAN Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical range of data rates for early LANs mentioned in the text?

4 to 16 megabits per second (Mbps) Signup and view all the answers

What is the new evolution in LAN technology mentioned in the text?

Wireless LANs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

WAN and LAN

Point-to-Point WAN is used to connect two endpoints, such as a LAN to a WAN or a WAN to a WAN.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) connects multiple LANs in a metropolitan area, allowing for communication between them.

Network Architecture

An internetwork or internet is a collection of interconnected networks.
Two types of reference models for network architecture: OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) and TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol).
Layered architecture in reference models allows for abstraction, modularity, and standardization of network communication.

Analogy for Layers

The concept of layers in network architecture can be explained using the analogy of sending a letter, where each layer represents a different activity in the process.

Sending a Letter Analogy

Five activities are involved in the sender side of sending a letter: addressing, packaging, handing over to postal service, transportation, and delivery.
The middle layer (postal service) is responsible for routing and transporting the letter.
The lower layer (transportation) is responsible for physically moving the letter from one place to another.

Network Categories

Two primary categories of networks: Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN).

LAN Characteristics

Typical size limitation of a LAN is a few kilometers.
Three most common LAN topologies: bus, star, and ring.
Typical range of data rates for early LANs: 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps.
New evolution in LAN technology: Gigabit LANs, which support data rates of 1000 Mbps or higher.