1/31/25, 10:45 PM Computer Networks and its Types - Basics of Computer Networking With Functions

Govt Exams (/govt-exams/) > Government Exam Articles (/govt-exams/list-of-government-exams-

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Computer Networks - Types & Functions

A computer network is a group of computers that use a set of common communication

protocols over digital interconnections for the purpose of sharing resources located on or
provided by the network nodes.

With respect to the Computer Knowledge section in the major Government exams
(https://byjus.com/govt-exams/) conducted, the Computer Networking forms an extremely
important topic and questions are frequently asked from this concept.

In this article, we bring to you the detailed information about the different types of Computer
networks, their definition and functions along with the different types of node devices.

Looking for more topics to prepare the Computer Awareness section for the upcoming
competitive exams??

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shortcut-keys/)

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Computer Acronyms and Abbreviations (https://byjus.com/govt-exams/computer-

abbreviations/)

Candidates can also take the reference as to what this concept is all about through the video
given below. This will enable candidates to get a more interactive interface to understand the
topic and get a better analysis of the concept.

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1/31/25, 10:45 PM Computer Networks and its Types - Basics of Computer Networking With Functions

16,252

What is a Computer Network?

Before moving forward with the article and learning more about the types of computer
networks, it is important for candidates to understand what is a network and how it affects the
functioning of one or more computers connected with each other.

Definition – A group of computers which are connected to each other and follow similar usage
protocols for the purpose of sharing information and having communications provided by the
networking nodes is called a Computer Network.

A network may be small where it may include just one system or maybe as large as what one
may want. The nodes may further be classified into various types. These include:

Personal Computers

Servers

Networking Hardware

General Hosts

Networking can be classified into three types:

1. Types of Computer Networks

2. Topology

3. Interpreters

We shall discuss all three in detail further below in this article.

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Types of Computer Networks

There are five main types of Computer Networks:

1. LAN (Local Area Network) –

Systems connected in a small network like in a building or a small office

It is inexpensive

It uses Ethernet or Token-ring technology

Two or more personal computers can be connected through wires or cables acting
as nodes

Transfer of data is fast and is highly score

2. PAN (Personal Area Network) –

The smallest computer network

Devices may be connected through Bluetooth or other infra-red enables devices

It has a connectivity range of upto 10 metres

It covers an area of upto 30 feet

Personal devices belonging to a single person can be connected to each other

using PAN

3. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) –

A network that can be connected within a city, for example, cable TV Connection

It can be in the form of Ethernet, ATM, Token-ring and FDDI

It has a higher range

This type of network can be used to connect citizens with the various Organisations

4. WAN (Wide Area Network) –

A network which covers over a country or a larger range of people

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1/31/25, 10:45 PM Computer Networks and its Types - Basics of Computer Networking With Functions

Telephonic lines are also connected through WAN

Internet is the biggest WAN in the world

Mostly used by Government Organisations to manage data and information

5. VPN (Virtual Private Network): –

A network which is constructed by using public wires to connect to a private
network

There are a number of systems which enable you to create networks using the
Internet as a medium for transporting data

These systems use encryptions and other security mechanisms to ensure only
authorised users can access

For a few candidates understanding the different computer networking terms may be a bit
tough and the same applies to other computer-related terminology, applications and software.
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1/31/25, 10:45 PM Computer Networks and its Types - Basics of Computer Networking With Functions

Network Topologies
Given below are the eight types of Network Topologies:

1. Point to Point Topology – Point to Point topology is the simplest topology that connects
two nodes directly together with a common link.

2. Bus Topology – A bus topology is such that there is a single line to which all nodes are
connected and the nodes connect only to the bus

3. Mesh Topology – This type of topology contains at least two nodes with two or more
paths between them

4. Ring Topology – In this topology every node has exactly two branches connected to it.
The ring is broken and cannot work if one of the nodes on the ring fails

5. Star Topology – In this network topology, the peripheral nodes are connected to a central
node, which rebroadcasts all the transmissions received from any peripheral node to all
peripheral nodes on the network, including the originating node

6. Tree Topology – In this type of topology nodes are connected in the form of a tree. The
function of the central node in this topology may be distributed

7. Line Topology – in this topology all the nodes are connected in a straight line

8. Hybrid Topology – When two more types of topologies combine together, they form a
Hybrid topology

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Network Devices
Discussed below are a few important network devices from the exam point of view:

Network Repeater – Used to generate incoming electrical, wireless or optical signals

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1/31/25, 10:45 PM Computer Networks and its Types - Basics of Computer Networking With Functions

Network Hub – It is a small network device. It joins multiple computers together to form a
single network segment. On this segment, all computers can interact with each other

Network Switch – It is a small hardware device which joins multiple computers together
with a single LAN

Network Router – This device interfaces in multiple networks whose task is to copy
packages from one network to another. It provides connectivity inside enterprises,
between Enterprises and the Internet and within an ISP

Network Bridge – It reads the outermost section of the data packet to tell where the
message is going. It reduces the traffic on other network segments.

Modem – This device converts digital signals into analog signals. It is always placed
between a telephone and a computer system

All the information given above will help candidates prepare themselves for the Computer
Knowledge section in the upcoming Government exams and ace it.

Sample Questions – Computer Networks

It is also important to go through the topic of Computer Networks from the examination point of
view. Computer Knowledge (https://byjus.com/govt-exams/computer-knowledge/) is
included in the syllabus for all major competitive exams and can be one of the most scoring
subjects as the questions asked are very basic and not much complex.

Thus, to assist candidates and help them understand the type of questions which may be
asked from this concept, discussed below are a few question and answers based on Computer
Network. Candidates can refer to these and start their preparation.

Q 1. Which of the following is not a type of network topology?

1. Ring

2. Star

3. Circle

4. Bus

5. All of the above are a type of network topology

Answer: (2) Circle

Q 2. The network device converts digital signals into analog signals and can be connected
through a telephone is called _____

1. Modem

2. Hotspot

3. Router

4. Bridge

5. Switch

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1/31/25, 10:45 PM Computer Networks and its Types - Basics of Computer Networking With Functions

Answer: (1) Modem

Q 3. Which of the following terms is related to sending data to a satellite?

1. Uplink

2. Modem

3. Switch

4. Modular

5. Downlink

Answer: (1) Uplink

Q 4. ______ topology is the simplest topology that connects two nodes directly together with
a common link.

1. Point to Point

2. Line

3. Ring

4. Star

5. None of the above

Answer: (1) Point to Point

Q 5. Which is the shortest network covering network?

1. LAN

2. MAN

3. WAN

4. PAN

5. VPN

Answer: (4) Personal Area Network (PAN)

Q 6. When two or more topologies connect together, they are called ______

1. Tree Topology

2. Cluster Topology

3. Hybrid Topology

4. Mesh Topology

5. Line Topology

Answer: (3) Hybrid Topology

Q 7. ATM is a form of _____

1. Local Area Network

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1/31/25, 10:45 PM Computer Networks and its Types - Basics of Computer Networking With Functions

2. Wide Area Network

3. Metropolitan Area Network

4. Personal Area Network

5. Virtual Private Network

Answer: (3) Metropolitan Area Network

Q 8. _______ is a small hardware device which joins multiple computers together with a
single LAN.

1. Modem

2. Switch

3. Modular

4. Router

5. Bridge

Answer: (2) Switch

Q 9. A collection of various computers into a single coherent system, provided to a client, is

called _______.

1. Distributed System

2. Computer Network

3. Systematic Network

4. Collective Network

5. None of the above

Answer: (1) Distributed System

Q 10. A network which is constructed by using public wires to connect to a private network is
called ______

1. Local Area Network

2. Wide Area Network

3. Metropolitan Area Network

4. Personal Area Network

5. Virtual Private Network

Answer: (5) Virtual Private Network

All the questions given above are of a similar pattern followed in the competitive exams.
Computer Network forms an important part from which questions may be asked in the final
exam. Thus, preparing it well is extremely important.

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1/31/25, 10:45 PM Computer Networks and its Types - Basics of Computer Networking With Functions

Aspirants can also check the detailed Strategy for Competitive Exam Preparation
(https://byjus.com/govt-exams/competitive-exams-preparation-strategy/) at the linked
article and start their preparation accordingly.

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