NIBI - Coverage Areas Lesson

Coverage Areas

By now you know that a computer network is a group of two or more interconnected computer systems that you use as a common connection for sharing data and other resources. Previously you saw how networks interact based on the physical aspect. Now you are able to learn how networks are classified based on its coverage area. When you think of coverage areas, what comes to mind?

Think of the coverage area of networks as the area in which network devices are located. The network’s size can vary from connecting two computers inside a small room to hundreds of computers across the world. Imagine the journey of a piece of data through one of those larger networks. What path will it take? When there are multiple paths, how does it know which path is best?

Once networks become larger, how the network connects becomes important. There isn't a big difference between two stops and three stops in a path, but there is a big difference between 20 stops and 300 stops.

In this lesson we will take a look at different types of networks based on their geographical area and the number of computers, maybe simpler stated networks' size.

Take a look at the Types of Networks video.

Let’s take a moment and review some things learned from the video about the classification of networks:

• Networks are classified according to geographical area.
• Personal Area Network (PAN) is the smallest network used in personal spaces, such as bluetooth
• Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that covers small areas like offices, schools, colleges or buildings.
• Wide Area Network (WAN) is a network used in large geographical areas, such as countries or the Internet.

The Types of Networks learning object below gives a visual and more information. Click and see!

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