The main difference between LAN MAN and WAN is that the LAN is a network that covers a small geographical area such as residence, school or an office building while the MAN is a network that covers an area larger than LAN but smaller than WAN such as a city and the WAN is a network that covers a large geographical area such as a country. Thus, LAN means Local Area Network, MAN means Metropolitan Area Network, and WAN means Wide Area Network.
A computer network is an interconnection between two or more devices for resource sharing and data communication. It can reduce the cost to a greater extent. The network can consist of devices such as PCs, desktops, switches, routers and other networking devices. The devices in the network can connect using media such as copper wires, wireless technology or fiber optic cables. There are various types of networking including LAN, MAN and WAN. LAN covers a range within 10km. MAN covers a range within 100km while WAN covers a wide area higher than 100km.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is LAN
– Definition, Usage, Features
2. What is MAN
– Definition, Usage, Features
3. What is WAN
– Definition, Usage, Features
4. What is the Difference Between LAN MAN and WAN
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
LAN, MAN, WAN, Networking
What is LAN
LAN stands for Local Area Network. It is a network which is limited to a small geographical area such as home, office or school. It is useful for sharing resources such as files and printers. This type of networks has a high data transferring rate and lower congestion as it covers a small area.
Figure 1: LAN
The common LAN topologies are bus, ring and star. In bus topology, all the devices connect to a single communication line. The ring topology connects all the devices in a circular structure. In star topology, all the devices connect to a central node, creating a structure similar to a star.
LAN provides multiple advantages for the users. It allows sharing of information, databases, resources and other networking related services. It also improves communication between individuals as well as the departments in an organization. However, there should be skilled employees to set up the network and to maintain it. Furthermore, a fault in a server might affect the other devices in the network.
What is MAN
MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network. It covers a geographical area larger than LAN but smaller than WAN. It refers to a network in a city or a small town. These networks can cover an area within 100km. It can also be considered as a collection of LANs.
Figure 2: MAN
MAN can work as a good backbone for a large network to access WAN. Moreover, MAN uses a distributed queue duel bus. It allows transferring data to both directions simultaneously. Nevertheless, implementing MAN is costly as it requires more equipment. Furthermore, it can be difficult to protect the network from hackers.
What is WAN
WAN stands for Wide Area Network. It covers a large geographical area such as a state or a country. Therefore, it is the network which covers more than 100 km. It is an interconnection of small networks consisting of LANs and MANs. WAN helps to share data, voice, images and videos over a long distance. It improves communication between businesses organizations located in different continents.
Figure 3: WAN
As WAN is a large network, it can face numerous security threats. The network has a tendency to be affected by malicious software such as viruses, worms, etc. Therefore, it is important to take measures to prevent outsiders from entering the network. Furthermore, setting up the WAN can be difficult and complex. Additionally, there should be skilful employees with technical knowledge to maintain the network.
Difference Between LAN MAN and WAN
Definition
The LAN is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as residence, office building, school or a laboratory. MAN is a computer network that interconnects user with computer resources in a geographical area larger than LAN but smaller than WAN. WAN is a computer network that extends over a large geographical area.
Stands for
LAN stands for Local Area Network. MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network. WAN stands for Wide Area Network.
Covering Area
The LAN covers an area within 1km to 10km. MAN covers an area within 100km. WAN covers a large area than MAN. The range goes beyond 100km.
Design and Maintenance
It is easier to design and maintain LAN. It is difficult and complicated to design and maintain MAN and WAN.
Speed
LAN has a high data transferring speed. MAN has a moderate and WAN has low data transferring speeds.
Communication Medium
LAN uses twisted pair cables or coaxial cables to connect the devices. MAN uses coaxial cables, optical fibers or wireless medium to connect the devices. WAN uses Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN) or satellite links.
Congestion
The LAN has a limited number of users. Therefore, it has less congestion. MAN has moderate, and WAN has more congestion.
Examples
LAN is a network in a home, school or an office. MAN is a network in a city or a small town. WAN is a network covering a state or a country.
Conclusion
A network is a collection of multiple devices for data and resource sharing. LAN, MAN and WAN are three types of networks. The difference between LAN MAN and WAN is that the LAN is a network that covers a small geographical area such as residence, school or an office building while the MAN is a network that covers an area larger than LAN but smaller than WAN such as a city and WAN is a network that covers a large geographical area such as a country.
Reference:
1. Garg, Arushi. “Lan, Man and Wan Ppt Final.” LinkedIn SlideShare, 21 Nov. 2013, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Ethernet LAN” By T.seppelt, derivate work from File:Ethernet.png, including content of the Open Clip Art Library, by © 2007 Nuno Pinheiro & David Vignoni & David Miller & Johann Ollivier Lapeyre & Kenneth Wimer & Riccardo Iaconelli / KDE / LGPL 3, User:George Shuklin and the Tango Project! – File:BigRedSmile A new Computer.svgFile:Oxygen480-devices-computer-laptop.svgFile:Server-tower.svgFile:Computer.svg (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “3shabake” By زهرا برزنونی – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
3. “Lanwan” By Audit3 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
Leave a Reply