Network Types
Acronim W A N = Wide Area Network
| Network Type | Function |
|---|---|
| LAN (Local) Wide (WAN) WLAN (Wireless Local internal networks accessible over Wi-fi) |
The WAN one is the address that is generally accessed by the Internet. (WAN is a combination of multiple LANs) LANs (Local Area Network) and WLANs (Wireless Local Area Network) will typically assign IP Addresses designated for local use. There's nothing different between a LAN or WLAN |
| Virtual Private Network (VPN) | - Site to site VPN This is most commonly used to join company networks together over the Internet, allowing multiple locations to communicate over the Internet as if they were local. - Remote Access VPN Hack The Box utilizes OpenVPN, which makes a TUN Adapter letting us access the labs. When analyzing these VPNs, an important piece to consider is the routing table that is created when joining the VPN. If the VPN only creates routes for specific networks (ex: 10.10.10.0/24), this is called a Split-Tunnel VPN, meaning the Internet connection is not going out of the VPN.- SSL VPN VPN that is done within our web browser |
| GAN (Global) | GANs use the glass fibers infrastructure of wide-area networks and interconnect them by international undersea cables or satellite transmission. |
| MAN | Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a broadband telecommunications network that connects several LANs in geographical proximity. |
| PAN (Personal) | A wireless personal area network that is established via Bluetooth is called Piconet. In the context of the Internet of Things (IoT), WPANs are used to communicate control and monitor applications with low data rates. Protocols such as Insteon, Z-Wave, and ZigBee were explicitly designed for smart homes and home automation. |