Network cabling is a complex issue for all workspaces. As the manager or owner, you might not have a clear idea of what’s going on in your office with respect to computer networking systems. A professional IT support team takes care of these things more often than not, and the rest don’t bother about it.

However, the problem may come when you make a significant change or relocate the office space. If you don’t know what network your systems are on, getting the same setup in a new place can be a challenge. If you are unable to give clear instructions to a professional network company, the process of setting up a new office space will be long-drawn and full of hassles.

Here are the four types of computer networking systems that everyone must know about:

Local Area Network (LAN)

LANs are commonly used in office areas. You can use a local area network only when all the devices are at the same premises and can be physically connected to each other. A LAN network uses ethernet cables, routers, switches, twisted pairs, and coaxial cables. It is a highly secure yet inexpensive way to connect your systems. Speed of data transfer is also very high in LANs.

Personal Area Network (PAN)

Personal Area Network, or PAN, is more commonly found in residential spaces. Each of us uses a personal or private area network without even realizing it. If you have a smartphone that you connect to your watch, laptop, etc., you are already in a personal area network.

When it comes to commercial use, PAN may not work. PAN is only applicable in small home offices with preferably not more than one operator. The risk of a data breach in PAN is high if there is any form of intrusion. Personal Area Networks can be both wired and wireless.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Metropolitan Area Networks cover large geographical areas like entire towns and cities. A MAN is essentially a collection of LANs interconnected via telephonic communication. MANs are used by large organizations like banks, schools, hospitals, IT companies, administrative departments, and law enforcement.

Various LANs get together to form a MAN. As a result, each LAN also gets connected to all the other LANs in a network. Data transfer rate is typically slower in MANs than in LANs.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

The internet as we know it now is the best example of a wide area network or WAN. WANs use wireless telecommunication signals to connect devices from across the world. All the systems are interconnected in a WAN, and there is no central point from where data is redirected. The global IT solutions industry is founded on WAN, just like many other sectors. Many country or region-specific WANs do not count as the internet. Governments and large conglomerates typically use wide area networks to transfer data across large distances securely.

A professional network company can help you better understand and select a network system for your office. The wrong networking system can leave your data vulnerable while slowing down operations. If you want your office to function seamlessly without lags and delays, consult a network company and decide the best option for your needs.