A computer network connects a group of computers. Networks can be classified in several ways including by scale, connection method, functional relationship, topology, protocols used, and more. Common network types include personal area networks (PANs), local area networks (LANs), campus area networks (CANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), and wide area networks (WANs). Larger global networks include global area networks (GANs) and internetworks like the Internet.