Welcome to MS Pantherina Online
	P2P P2P (peer-to-peer) is a type of network where "each workstation has equivalent capabilities and responsibilities". MP3's MP3 is a format that allows audio (usually music) files to be compressed so they are small enough to be sent over the internet or stored as digital files. It is popular because the compression method takes out the sounds that less audible to humans thus retained as much sounds that can be heard by human ear in a relative small storage. They are shared frequently on P2P networks on the internet. A portion of your hard drive becomes a server, so each P2P member is both a server and a client, both serving and receiving mp3 files. Napster is an example of a "pure" P2P network. Through this type of decentralized system, you are able to communicate from node to node, with out the use of a server. Home networks Usually home networks work on P2P because one of them can't be spared to just be a server. Files are shared form each computer held in a shared folder. TYPES OF NETWORKS MAINFRAME Mainframe computers are typically large, metal boxed computers with large processing abilities. The terminals are called "dumb terminals" because they only send and receive data, leaving the processing to the mainframe. CLIENTS The client/server refers to the way two computer programs interact with each other. The client makes a request from the server, who then fulfills the request. Although this idea can be used on one computer it is an efficient way for a network of computers in different locations to interconnect. Local Area Network (LAN) The first LANs were created in the late 1970s. LANs are small networks constricted to a small area, like a city. LANs are used to share resources like storage, internet, et cetera. A 'node' on a LAN is a connected computer or device like a printer. Wide Area Network (WAN) WANs are very large networks that interconnect smaller LAN networks, for a large geographic area like a country (i. e., any network whose communications link crossmetropolitan, regional, or national boundaries.) WANs are usually for private companies, however, some built by internet service providers connect LANs to the internet. WAN can use a combination of satellites and microwaves, and can link a variety of computers from mainframes to terminals. A 'node' on a WAN is a LAN. Metro Area Network (MAN) Metropolitan area networks, or MANs, are large computer networks usually spanning a city. They typically use wireless infrastructure or Optical fiber connections to link their sites. When the LANs that you want to connect are not far apart, just blocks away, then you can make a MAN. The main difference between a WAN and a MAN network is the speed of the connection. Because the LANs are so close in a MAN, high speed fiberoptic cables are affordable. Campus area network (CAN) A Campus Area Network is a computer network made up of an interconnection of local area networks (LANs) within a limited geographical area. It can be considered one form of a metropolitan area network, specific to an academic setting. In the case of a university campus-based campus area network, the network is likely to link a variety of campus buildings including; academic departments, the university library and student residence halls. A campus area network is larger than a local area network but smaller than a wide area network (WAN). The main aim of a campus area network is to facilitate students accessing internet and university resources. Personal Area Network (PAN) A personal area network is a computer network used for communication among computer devices (including telephones and personal digital assistants) close to one person. The devices may or may not belong to the person in question. The reach of a PAN is typically a few meters. PANs can be used for communication among the personal devices themselves (intrapersonal communication), or for connecting to a higher level network and the Internet (an uplink). Home Area Network (HAN) The Home Area Network uses cable, wired, or wireless connections to connect a homes' digital devices. For example, fax machines, computers, DVD's etc. Garden Area Network (GAN) A Garden Area Network is a similar system and allows for one system to control such devices like garden lights, sprinkler systems and alarm systems.