Communication network based on point-to-point communication

Figure  Communication network based on point-to-point communication As a general rule (although there are many exceptions), smaller, geographically localized networks tend to use broadcasting, whereas larger networks normally use are point-to point communication
. Classification based on Scale Alternative criteria for classifying networks are their scale
. They are divided into Local Area (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) and Wide Area Networks (WAN)
. Local Area Network (LAN) LAN is usually privately owned and links the devices in a single office, building or campus of up to few kilometers in size
. These are used to share resources (may be hardware or software resources) and to exchange information
. LAN's are distinguished from other kinds of networks by three categories: their size, transmission technology and topology
. LAN's are restricted in size, which means that their worst-case transmission time is bounded and known in advance
. Hence this is more reliable as compared to MAN and WAN
. Knowing this bound makes it possible to use certain kinds of design that would not otherwise be possible
. It also simplifies network management.