Networks are classified by how big they are and what they are used for. A Personal Area Network (or PAN) connects devices very close to one person; like a phone and wireless headphones. A Local Area Network ( or LAN) connects devices in a small place like a home, school, or office so they can share internet and files.
A Campus Area Network (or CAN) connects multiple LANs across several buildings, such as on a college campus or hospital. A Metropolitan Area Network (or MAN) covers a city and is often used by internet providers or city services. A Wide Area Network (WAN) covers very large distances; the internet is the best example.
There is also a Storage Area Network (or SAN), which is used in data centers to connect servers to storage instead of connecting people’s devices. Overall, these network types help organize how devices communicate based on distance and purpose.