Network Basic

How Are LAN, MAN, and WAN Different? 

Local Area Network (LAN):

 Definition

•A local area network (LAN) is a network that 

connects computers and devices 

in a limited geographical area.

•The simplest form of LAN is to 

connect two computers together.

Advantages 

•Easy to share devices           (printers, scanners,                                                           external drives)

•Easy to share data                          (homework,                                                                         pictures)

Disadvantages 

•Area covered is limited to a few kilometres.

•Speed access is slow if many computers 

running at the same time.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN):

Definition

•A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a high-speed 

network that connects local area networks in a 

metropolitan area such as a city or town and handles the 

bulk of communications activity across that area.

Advantages

•efficiency and shared access data.

•All the computer-owning residents 

of the area have equal 

ability to go on line. 

Disadvantages

•It can be costly               (hardware, software,                                 support, etc.).

•As the network consists of many computers over a city, the connection can become quite slow.

Wide Area Network (WAN):

Definition

 •A wide area network (WAN) is a network that covers a 

large geographic area (such as a city, country, or the world) 

using a communications channel that combines many types 

of media such as telephone lines, cables, and radio waves.

•The Internet is the largest WAN in the world.

Advantages

•increased efficiency.

•ease of communication. 

Disadvantages

•High security problems

•Maintenance problems. Large enterprises 

will dedicate personnel to maintaining 

their WAN.