Some Networks Types ..

A network is a system of hardware and software, put together for the purpose of communication and resource sharing. A network includes transmission hardware, devices to interconnect transmission media and to control transmissions, and software to decode and format data, as well as to detect and correct problems.
There are several types of networks in use today.But some which are common
• LAN - Local Area Network
• WAN - Wide Area Network
• VPN - Virtual Private Network

LAN

The most widely deployed type of network, LANs were designed as an alternative to the more expensive point-to-point connection. A LAN has high throughput for relatively low cost. LANs often rely on shared media, usually a cable, for connecting many computers. This reduces cost. The computers take turns using the cable to send data.

Repeaters and Bridges

LANs typically connect computers located in close physical proximity, i.e., all the computers in a building. Repeaters are used to join network segments when the distance spanned causes electrical signals to weaken. Repeaters are basically amplifiers that work at the bit level; they do not actively modify data that is amplified and sent to the next segment.
Like repeaters, bridges are used to connect two LANs together. Unlike repeaters, bridges work at the frame level. This is useful, allowing bridges to detect and discard corrupted frames. They can also perform frame filtering, only forwarding a frame when necessary. Both of these capabilities decrease network congestion. Bridged LANs can span arbitrary distances when using a satellite channel for the bridge. The resulting network is still considered a LAN and not a WAN.

WAN
To be considered a WAN, a network must be able to connect an arbitrary number of sites across an arbitrary distance, with an arbitrary number of computers at each site. In addition, it must have reasonable performance (no long delays) and allow all of the computers connected to it to communicate simultaneously.

Packet Switches

Packet switches are small computers with CPUs, memory and I/O devices. They move complete packets, using a technique called Store and Forward. An incoming packet is stored in a memory buffer and the CPU is interrupted. The processor examines the packet and forwards it to the appropriate place. This strategy allows the switch to accept multiple packets simultaneously.

Forwarding a Packet

A data structure contains the information that tells the switch where to send the packet next. This is called a routing table. The destination address in the packet header determines the routing table entry that is used to forward the packet. It could be forwarded to a computer attached to the switch that is examining the packet or it could be to another switch in the WAN.

VPN
VPNs are built on top of a publicly-accessible infrastructure, such as the Internet or the public telephone network. They use some form of encryption and have strong user authentication. Essentially a VPN is a form of WAN; the difference is their ability to use public networks rather than private leased lines. A VPN supports the same intranet services as a traditional WAN, but also supports remote access service. This is good for telecommuting, as leased lines don’t usually extend to private homes and travel destinations. A remote VPN user can connect via an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the usual way. This eliminates long-distance charges. The user can then initiate a tunnel request to the destination server. The server authenticates the user and creates the other end of the tunnel. VPN software encrypts the data, packages it
in an IP packet (for compatibility with the Internet) and sends it through the tunnel, where it is decrypted at the other end. There are several tunneling protocols available: IP security (IPsec), Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) and Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP).