For the 27 years that CJ Timms has been carrying out electrical installations, one trend has only grown in importance, a stable and reliable network! The fact of the matter is that with the dawn of the 21st Century and the rapid increase of on-demand information, the network has become something of a linchpin for businesses; we rely on them for sharing data globally with suppliers and partners, to everyday office tasks like printing. With so many different types of network, CJ Timms thought we’d shed a bit of light on to the capabilities of various network types, as well as their uses within the business world.
Personal Area Network – PAN
Much like the name suggests these types of networks often revolve around one individual, usually in a domestic setting, although this can also be applied to a small scale office environment too. PANs are the smallest type of network and usually entails a wireless modem and a mere handful of devices.
Local Area Network & Wireless Local Area Network – LAN & WLAN
One of the most common and original types of networks LANs are one of the simplest. Essentially they connect devices and computers over a short (read local) area. This is usually within one or two buildings close by each other. Typically LANs’ are set up so multiple devices can share resources and information. WLANs are basically LANs that utilise wireless technology ad as such they require that the devices connected to the network have a wireless capability. They are ideal for the modern office environment where mobility is becoming an increasingly important element of working life.
Using a router LANs & WLANs can connect to a wide area network (WAN).
Passive Optical LAN – POLAN
POLAN has the added advantage of being able to be integrated into structured cabling and essentially splits an optical signal from a strand of single-mode optical fibre into multiple signals. This allows it to transport a vast range of communication protocols securely and efficiently over both physical and software-defined networks.
POLANs allow you to make better use of higher connection speeds as fibre optic cabling is fast replacing copper wiring as a faster and more efficient solution, able to deal with the increase of the on-demand online world.
Wide Area Network – WAN
Simply put WANs allows computers and other devices to remotely connect to each other via one large network, over long physical distances. The best example of a WAN is the internet itself. As a result of their vastness, WANs are usually operated and maintained by multiple entities.
Enterprise Private Network – EPN
Primarily used by businesses with multiple locations (e.g multiple branches) these types of networks allow users to connect securely to share resources.
Virtual Private Network – VPN
VPNs work by extending a private network across the internet using a virtual point to point connection allowing users to access the private network remotely. VPNs allow for the secure sending and receiving of data as though the user was using a private network, even if they’re not.
Still in the dark about networks and how they can benefit your business on a daily basis? Fear not! Contact CJ Timms today. Our expert team has experience in designing, planning and installing network infrastructure both small and large scale. We can talk you through every step of the process to make sure you end up with a reliable and stable networking solution to carry your business forward.
