Computer network

A computer network is a system for communication among two or more computers.

Computer networks may be categorized with respect to range:

personal area network (PAN)
- wireless PAN
local area network (LAN)
- wireless LAN
metropolitan area network (MAN)
wide area network (WAN)

Computer network applications may be categorized with respect to the functional relationships between components:

Computer networks may be categorized with respect to network topologies:

Computer networks may be implemented using a variety of protocol stack architectures, computer buses or combinations of media and protocol layers, incorporating one or more of:

For a list of more see Network protocols

For standards see IEEE 802.

References

Andrew S. Tanenbaum, "Computer Networks" (ISBN 0133499456).