Network Types

Extranet

A private network that grants controlled access to users outside of the network. Usually used for partner companies or vendors.

Intranet

A private network that uses Internet protocols and services to share a company's information with its employees.

ICS (Industrial Control System)

Network and systems used to support municipal services and processes such as power generation and distribution, water treatment and distribution, waste-water collection and treatment, oil and natural gas collection and production, chemical synthesis, and more. **Need to be isolated from the network

LAN (Local Area Network)

Self-contained network that spans a small area such as a single building, floor, or room. All nodes and segments are connected directly with cables or short-range wireless technologies.

WLAN (Wireless LAN)

Self-contained network that spans a small area such as a single building, floor, or room. All nodes and segments are connected with a wireless connection.

DCS (Distributed Control Systems)

System used primarily where parts of the manufacturing system are in close geographic proximity. Each main process is broken down into a series of sub-processes, each of which is assigned an acceptable tolerance level.

SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)

Systems used where sites are at great geographical distances from one another. Monitors and manages remote sites by collecting and processing data and then sending supervisory commands to the remote station's control devices.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

A Network that spans a large area, often across multiple geographical locations. Typically used to connect multiple LANs and other networks using long-range transmission media.

Centralized Network

A network in which a central mainframe computer controls all network communication and performs data processing and storage on behalf of clients. Provide high performance and centralized management, but are expensive.

Peer to Peer Network

A network in which resource sharing, processing, and communication control are completely decentralized. All clients on the network are equal in terms of providing and using resources, and each individual device authenticates its users. Easy and inexpensive but difficult to maintain when the network grows.

Client/Server Network

A network in which servers provide resources to clients. Processing power, management services, and administrative functions can be concentrated where needed, while clients can still perform many basic end-user tasks on their own.

PAN (Personal Area Network)

A network that connects two to three devices with cables and is most often seen in small or home offices.

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

A network that covers an area equivalent to a city or a municipality.

CAN (Campus Area Network)

A network that covers an area equivalent to an academic campus or business park. Usually owned or used exclusively by one entity.

Enterprise Network

A network that includes elements of both LANs and WAN that is owned and operated by a single organization to interlink its devices and resources so that users have access whether they are on or off premise.