What is a Network Technology – Types, Advantages & Disadvantages

We know that routers & modems in the field of networking play an essential role. A computer network technology allows institutions & businesses to send data digitally with the help of information systems. When the data transmission can be done in between two or more computers using a communication medium like cables or wires, then it is called as a computer network. Similarly, when the data transmission can be done in between two or more mobile devices using cables or wires then it is known as a mobile network. When the data transmission can be done in between mobile devices & computers then it is known as a device network. This article discusses an overview of network technology.

What is Network Technology?

Definition: The technology which is used to exchange the data between small and large information. This technology can be used in educational institutions as well as businesses. Network technicians know the installation; configuration & troubleshooting of the network technology and this can be used to send digital data like audio, data and visual files. By using networking, users can send messages, files through e-mail or other channels based on the organization’s requirement.

The expansion of a network mainly includes assessing the requirements of organizational and informational of a business & estimates the costs of hardware, training, installation, security & account management. When a network is installed, then the technicians are accountable for the network operation by providing technical support to employees in the organization from any issues.

Types of Network Technology

The classification of network technology can be done based on transmission and scale. By using this technology, data transmission, as well as exchange, can be done.

Network Technology based on Transmission

The network technology based on transmission can be done using the two concepts like point-to-point and multipoint.

Point to Point

In point to point, when sender & receiver (nodes) are connected directly, then the data transmission can be done with the help of a guided medium, used for the wired network and unguided medium, used for the wireless network. The following image shows the point to point network technology.

Multi-point

In multi-point, several nodes are connected directly with the help of a common medium in a linear manner. The following image shows the multi-point network technology

This kind of transmission mainly works on any of these two connections like time-sharing otherwise spatially shared. In the first connection, every node is accessible with a separate time of slot to converse, whereas, in the second connection, the communication between the nodes can be done simultaneously at a time.

Network Technology based on Scale

The network technology based on the scale can be done using concepts like LAN, MAN, WAN, PAN, and VPN.

 LAN (Local Area Network)

An alternate name of LAN is IEEE 802 network and this network uses devices like computers, laptops, and mobiles that are connected in a small range which ranges from 100m to 10km. The properties of this network mainly depend on its users, speed, range, as well as error rate.

The main elements of LAN mainly include the following.

• Peripheral devices like printers, scanners, etc.
• A HUB or the middle of a network can be accountable for attracting the signals. It is smart enough for transmitting the data packets from the sender to the receiver.
• Cables like twisted pair, optical fiber, and coaxial cables are used as backbone cables due to their high bandwidth capacity.
• Nodes/PC/computer/Host/server/workstation
• Network interface card- NIC

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

A network where numerous LANs are united jointly through a networking device is known as Bridge, and it forms a MAN (metropolitan area network). The following image shows the MAN technology in computer networks.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

A network where numerous WANs are united jointly through a networking device is known as route, and it forms a WAN (wide area network). The following image shows the WAN technology in computer networks.
There are two types of WANs namely public WAN and private WAN.

• Public WAN: This kind of WAN is handled through government divisions.
• Private WAN:  This kind of WAN is expanded by the departments of the US Military, Defence wing known as ARPANET.

WAN Elements

• The elements of WAN are bridge, router, and gateway
• The bridge is a device, used to connect related otherwise different LANs.
• The router is a device, sued to connect related otherwise different networks.
• Gateway is one kind of device, used to connect networks by using various types of architectures. For instance, by using this gateway, communication between a mobile device containing 4G connection & landline device containing 2G connection

PAN (Personal Area Network)

A PAN (personal area network) is a computer network, and it allows communication between computer devices close to a person. These networks can be wired like USB otherwise FireWire and also they are wireless like IR, ultra-wideband, and ZigBee. The range of this network is normally is some meters. The best examples of this mainly include wireless keyboards, cell phone headsets, printers, bar code scanners, wireless mice & game consoles. This network is mainly used for personal purposes.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN (a virtual private network) is started virtually on the public network for communicating as well as transmitting data from sender to receiver. This network creates a secure, encrypted link above a less-secure network like the public internet. This network uses tunneling protocols for encrypting & decrypting data at the ends of the sender and receiver.

Advantages

The advantages of network technology include the following.

• It is extremely flexible
• It improves communication & accessibility of information.
• It allows for convenient resource sharing.
• Files can be easily shared.
• It is less cost
• Storage capacity will be enhanced.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of network technology include the following.

• It lacks independence & robustness.
• It creates security difficulties
• It allows viruses & malware.
• It needs an efficient operator.
• It needs an exclusive set-up.

FAQs

1). What is network technology?

When the data is transmitted from a large information system to a small information system is known as network technology.

2). What are the different kinds of networks?

They are LAN, MAN & WAN

3). What is the benefit of networking?

By using this, we can easily transmit data among different operators.

4). What is network protocol?

Network protocol includes a set of rules, formats & procedures to communicate with two or many devices through a network.

5). What are the drawbacks of networking?

It is expensive, and security concerns, and needs an efficient operator.

Thus, this is all about network technology or computer network. By using this technology, two or more computers can be connected for the purpose of communication between them. For example, dial-up device connection in between two personal computers like a wired LAN at work, Wi-Fi a connection in the home, devices under the sea, otherwise satellite signals around the world.

By using this technology one can transfer the data quickly and conveniently, but one should be conscious of its effects as well. The users should keep in mind that frequently relying on this technology will cause risks that can be caused by its malfunctions & flaws. Here is a question for you, what is the function of computer network technology?