The way in which you connect all of your team members together matters. Communication and the ability to share information builds strong teams and better projects. So when entering into the development space, you should decide what network applications you will use to do this.
Each different network application has its own purpose and is defined by the area that it covers. Some specialize in small areas, while others can connect from one coast to another and beyond. The needs of your organization will dictate what you should look into most.
This article will explain each application of the network in detail and provide a list of benefits for each one. Starting from the smallest is…
Local Area Network (LAN)
LAN is the smallest of the network applications. It also happens to be the easiest to set up and maintain. LAN networks are built on a connection of at least two computers by either a wired or wireless connection. This can expand to a whole office or even several nearby buildings but is generally kept small in scope.
What LAN allows for is quick and easy setup as well as speed. You need very little to connect two computers together, and expanding on that is a simple process. Two computers that are able to directly talk to one another also share information incredibly quickly. A LAN network application is perfect to optimize a small work space for both of these reasons.
There is a subset of LAN network applications called SAN. This stands for storage area network. What SAN networks do is house all of a business’s data in a safe and easily accessed location. It is advisable for companies that use either big data or simply must house a lot of information to look into SAN infrastructure. It will speed up the process of gathering and storing as well as loosen up speeds on the LAN network that would normally house data.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
If you connect multiple working buildings, or even two separate LAN offices into one network, you now have a MAN. This type of network application allows two separate entities to trade information and data as if they were on the same LAN network. One might ask why you don’t just expand your LAN network, but the MAN network provides a hub of sorts to the lower LANs.
MAN networks are typically run by either Internet providers or government entities, but large enough companies can purchase and set up their own networks like this. It will allow you to transfer tons of data at high speeds from one LAN to another with little latency. Especially as you get larger and need to handle more and more information, this will become a great tool.
The specific advantage of a MAN network is that, as said before, it provides a hub for all of your separate LANs. This becomes necessary past a certain point and can continue to optimize your company’s performance as you grow. You may even accidentally create a MAN if you build out a strong enough network of LANs and then connect them.
However, if you aren’t sure exactly what you need when it comes to network applications, then WillDom is here to help. We have a massive network of development professionals who can advise you on and help build out network applications.
Whether you need direct help or just some words of assistance, we have who you need. See just what we can do for you and your applications of the network by visiting our website.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Once several MAN networks have been connected, you now have a Wide Area Network (WAN). These are almost always run by Internet providers and can span entire countries in width. This is also the very basis of the Internet you are using now. You are connected to one of many WANs that can converse down the chain to pull info from a LAN, MAN, or any other available WAN.
The advantage of this is of course the widespread availability of information, data, and communication we have now. As for your business, this is the same. WANs make it possible to have remote workers from across the globe all contribute to one project. With a team that works from several different WAN networks, you can also have a project that is worked on 24/7 and ignores borders.
This kind of benefit is huge, especially for complicated projects that need a large amount of professional and expert help. You may not have everyone you need in your local area and WAN network applications allow you to pull in help from anywhere in the world.
Ultimately, the kind of network application you need is based on the size, location, and speed of your team. If you have a small office all in one area, you really only need a LAN network to work on and share information to. If your project is massive and needs global help, then WAN networks are the way to go.
Overall, the decision is yours. To help make that decision though the team of professionals at WillDom can connect you to the team you need. With contacts all over the world, the amount of experience you can reach is limitless. Visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn to learn all about what we can do for you.
