Author: Neftaly Malatjie

A personal area network, or PAN, is a computer network organized around an individual person within a single building. This could be inside a small office or residence. A typical PAN would include one or more computers, telephones, peripheral devices, video game consoles and other personal entertainment devices.

If multiple individuals use the same network within a residence, the network is sometimes referred to as a home area network, or HAN. In a very typical setup, a residence will have a single wired Internet connection connected to a modem. This modem then provides both wired and wireless connections for multiple devices. The network is typically managed from a single computer but can be accessed from any device.

This type of network provides great flexibility. For example, it allows you to:

• Send a document to the printer in the office upstairs while you are sitting on the couch with your laptop.
• Upload a photo from your cell phone to your desktop computer.
• Watch movies from an online streaming service to your TV.

If this sounds familiar to you, you likely have a PAN in your house without having called it by its name.

There are several different types of computer networks. Computer networks can be characterized by their size as well as their purpose.

The size of a network can be expressed by the geographic area they occupy and the number of computers that are part of the network. Networks can cover anything from a handful of devices within a single room to millions of devices spread across the entire globe.

Some of the different networks based on size are:

• Personal area network, or PAN
• Local area network, or LAN
• Metropolitan area network, or MAN
• Wide area network, or WAN
• Inter-network
• Homogenous
• Heterogeneous

In the most basic sense, a computer network is merely the stable connection between two or more computers, with no upward limit on how many may be linked to one another. While they do not need to be desktop computers or use a wired connection to make both the term “network” and the connection itself work, this is the standard model that has been practiced since the first networks came into being.

Beyond the local network, or the group of computers that are linked directly together, there is also the potential to link between the local network and the Cloud, or the Internet. While the Internet is infinitely more complicated than any local network, it still essentially consists of a number of different devices linked to one another through the use of servers. A server is a specialized computer that functions to link a large number of devices to others by holding up a fast digital conversation with another server in another area. Some companies offer managed network services, which can mean they have the server in their office and others simply connect their devices to it from wherever they may be.

While a network is a fairly simple idea to comprehend, the fact of the matter is that every so often even the simplest such connection needs a network maintenance plan. For example, many types of networks require the use of a router, which can reset in the event of a power failure. As well, there is the potential for the physical failure of a network as a connecting wire becomes physically damaged or frays over time. Naturally, network monitoring goes far beyond merely considering the potential for physical damage to the connection itself.

There is also the issue of securing the network against various kinds of threats that it might face. The most important of these threats is the potential that an entity from outside the local network might attempt to get in and steal information or hurt the functionality of the network’s component devices. This is known as hacking or cracking, and it can be devastating from both a personal point of view and financially. Some experts have estimated that various networked devices are hacked roughly every few seconds, and that the damage costs everyone involved a total of billions of dollars per year.

The basics of computer networking can be understood in many ways.

• A computer network is simply a collection of different computers or other devices linked together
• Computer networks allow your business to conduct nearly every function you perform online

On completion of this section you will be able to describe computer network types and standards. 

1. The description distinguishes types of networks. 
2. The description compares network topologies. 
3. The description outlines and distinguishes features of node addressing methods. 
4. The description outlines the standards for industry network architectures. 

This programme has been aligned to registered unit standards.  You will be assessed against the outcomes of the unit standards by completing a knowledge assignment that covers the essential embedded knowledge stipulated in The programme methodology includes facilitator presentations, readings, individual activities, group discussions, and skill application exercises.

the unit standards.  When you are assessed as competent against the unit standards, you will receive a certificate of competence and be awarded 5 credits towards a National Qualification.