how many types of network in networking?

Before knowing about the types of networks, it is necessary to know what is network. When two and more computers are connected together, the medium which is used to connect them is called network.

In networking, there are various types of networks, including LANs (Local Area Networks), WANs (Wide Area Networks), MANs (Metropolitan Area Networks), PANs (Personal Area Networks), and CANs (Campus Area Networks).

In networking, computer networks are primarily classified by their geographical scale and coverage area, ranging from personal setups to global infrastructures. The most common types include the Personal Area Network (PAN) for short-range device pairing like Bluetooth; the Local Area Network (LAN), which connects devices within a single building like a home or office; and the Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), which spans an entire city or campus. On a much larger scale, the Wide Area Network (WAN), such as the Internet, connects devices across countries or continents. Specialized networks also exist, such as WLANs (wireless versions of a LAN), SANs (Storage Area Networks for high-speed data access), and VPNs (Virtual Private Networks for secure, encrypted connections over public infrastructure).