CHP 1 Part 2

Network Types

• A Local Area Network (LAN) is a group of computers located in the same general area.
• LANs typically operate at speeds of 100 Mbps or higher.

Network Components

• A Router connects several LANs, other Backbone Networks (BNs), Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), and Wide Area Networks (WANs).
• A Data Center provides centralized storage, processing, and distribution of data in a network architecture.
• An Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides internet access in a network architecture.

Wide Area Networks (WANs)

• A WAN covers a larger geographic scope, such as cities or countries.
• The purpose of a WAN is to connect multiple LANs and BNs to facilitate communication and data exchange.

Backbone Networks (BNs)

• A BN connects multiple LANs and MANs.
• BNs typically operate at speeds of 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps.

Network Technologies

• The use of network technologies originally developed for WANs is making the distinction between WANs and MANs increasingly blurry.

Internet Exchange Centers (IXCs)

• An IXC is a high-bandwidth hub that connects multiple WAN circuits from different carriers.
• WAN circuits from IXCs typically provide data transmission rates of 1.5 Mbps to 45 Mbps.

Intranets and Extranets

• An intranet is a private network that is not accessible to the general public.
• Examples of information provided on an intranet include employee information, company policies, and internal announcements.
• An extranet is a network that provides access to partners or customers.
• An extranet can provide access to shared resources, such as product catalogs or supply chain management systems.
• Users typically require authentication, such as usernames and passwords, to gain access to an extranet.
• Many universities provide extranets for students, faculty, and staff to access online resources and services.