1. LAN (Local Area Network)
- Definition: A network confined to a small geographic area, such as a single building or campus.
- Key Characteristics:
- Range: Covers a few meters to a few kilometers.
- Ownership: Typically privately owned.
- Speed: High-speed (100 Mbps to 10 Gbps).
- Cost: Low setup and maintenance costs.
- Devices: Computers, printers, and servers connected via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
- Applications:
- Office networks (e.g., connecting employee workstations).
- School or university networks for sharing resources like printers and files.
2. WAN (Wide Area Network)
- Definition: A network that spans large geographical areas, connecting multiple LANs and MANs.
- Key Characteristics:
- Range: Can span cities, countries, or continents.
- Ownership: Often uses public communication infrastructure (leased lines, satellites).
- Speed: Slower than LAN (varies: 10 Mbps to several Gbps).
- Cost: High due to long-distance data transfer and infrastructure.
- Devices: Routers, satellites, and leased lines for communication.
- Applications:
- The Internet (a global WAN).
- Connecting branches of a multinational company.
3. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
- Definition: A network that spans a city or metropolitan area, larger than LAN but smaller than WAN.
- Key Characteristics:
- Range: Covers up to 50 km.
- Ownership: Can be public or private.
- Speed: Higher than WAN but slightly lower than LAN (often 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps).
- Cost: Medium, higher than LAN but lower than WAN.
- Devices: Fiber optics, routers, and switches.
- Applications:
- City-wide networks (e.g., public Wi-Fi in a city).
- Interconnecting multiple campuses or offices within a city.
Comparison Table:
| Feature | LAN | MAN | WAN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Small (e.g., building) | Medium (e.g., city) | Large (e.g., country/globe) |
| Ownership | Private | Public/Private | Mostly Public |
| Speed | Very High (100 Mbps–10 Gbps) | High (10 Mbps–1 Gbps) | Moderate (10 Mbps–several Gbps) |
| Cost | Low | Medium | High |
| Examples | Office, campus network | City-wide Wi-Fi | Internet, global networks |
Easy Mnemonics to Remember:
WAN = Wide, Worldwide, Wireless (sometimes).
LAN = Local, Limited, Low-cost.
MAN = Metro, Medium, Multi-campus.
Differences Between LAN, MAN, and WAN
| Feature | LAN (Local Area Network) | MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) | WAN (Wide Area Network) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Connects devices in a small, localized area (e.g., building, campus). | Connects networks within a city or metropolitan area. | Connects networks across countries or continents. |
| Coverage Area | Small (e.g., a single building, a campus). | Medium (e.g., a city, up to 50 km). | Large (e.g., global, across cities and countries). |
| Ownership | Typically owned by a single organization. | May be owned by private or public entities. | Uses public infrastructure like leased lines or satellites. |
| Speed | High (100 Mbps to 10 Gbps). | Moderate to high (10 Mbps to 1 Gbps). | Varies, slower than LAN (10 Mbps to several Gbps). |
| Cost | Low setup and maintenance costs. | Medium cost. | High cost due to long-distance communication. |
| Technology Used | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or optical fiber. | Fiber optics, coaxial cables, or microwave links. | Satellite links, leased lines, MPLS, or public networks. |
| Devices Used | Switches, hubs, routers. | Routers, switches, and fiber equipment. | Routers, modems, and satellite communication equipment. |
| Example Usage | – Office network. | – City-wide Wi-Fi network. | – Internet, multinational corporate networks. |
| – University or school network. | – Connecting branches in a city. | – Connecting global bank branches. | |
| Scalability | Limited to small areas. | Moderate scalability (limited to a city). | Highly scalable (covers global networks). |
| Reliability | Highly reliable due to limited scope. | Moderately reliable. | Less reliable (depends on public infrastructure). |
| Latency | Very low. | Moderate. | High due to distance and infrastructure. |
Key Takeaways
- LAN: Small, fast, inexpensive, used in offices and campuses.
- MAN: Larger, connects multiple LANs in a city, ideal for city-wide networks.
- WAN: Largest, connects global networks, slower but highly scalable.
Remember this simple mnemonic to recall their scope:
LAN < MAN < WAN (smallest to largest).
MCQ
What does LAN stand for?
a) Large Area Network
b) Local Area Network
c) Limited Access Network
d) Linked Area Network
Answer: b) Local Area Network
Which network type typically connects devices within a single building?
a) WAN
b) LAN
c) MAN
d) PAN
Answer: b) LAN
What is the typical range of a MAN?
a) Up to 10 meters
b) A few kilometers
c) Up to 50 kilometers
d) Worldwide
Answer: c) Up to 50 kilometers
Which of the following is the largest type of network?
a) LAN
b) MAN
c) WAN
d) PAN
Answer: c) WAN
What is the primary characteristic of a LAN?
a) High speed and confined to a small area
b) Medium speed and spans a city
c) Uses satellites for connectivity
d) Covers countries or continents
Answer: a) High speed and confined to a small area
Which network type is commonly used to connect multiple branch offices in different cities?
a) LAN
b) MAN
c) WAN
d) PAN
Answer: c) WAN
Which network type has the highest speed?
a) WAN
b) MAN
c) LAN
d) PAN
Answer: c) LAN
What is the speed range of a WAN?
a) 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps
b) 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps
c) 10 Mbps to several Gbps
d) Up to 50 Gbps
Answer: c) 10 Mbps to several Gbps
Which type of network is most likely to use fiber optics within a city?
a) LAN
b) WAN
c) MAN
d) PAN
Answer: c) MAN
Which network type is commonly used for Internet access?
a) LAN
b) WAN
c) MAN
d) PAN
Answer: b) WAN
What is a common application of a MAN?
a) Interconnecting devices in an office building
b) Connecting different branch offices of a company globally
c) City-wide public Wi-Fi network
d) Bluetooth communication between devices
Answer: c) City-wide public Wi-Fi network
Which of the following is a LAN application?
a) Connecting multiple campuses within a city
b) Sharing resources like printers in a small office
c) Setting up a satellite communication system
d) Accessing a global supply chain system
Answer: b) Sharing resources like printers in a small office
What is an example of a WAN?
a) The Internet
b) An office intranet
c) A campus network
d) A home Wi-Fi system
Answer: a) The Internet
Which network type is suitable for a university with multiple campuses in a single city?
a) LAN
b) MAN
c) WAN
d) PAN
Answer: b) MAN
Which feature is unique to WAN compared to LAN and MAN?
a) Use of public infrastructure like leased lines
b) High speed within a small area
c) Covers only a single building
d) Interconnection within a single city
Answer: a) Use of public infrastructure like leased lines
What is the key difference between a LAN and a WAN?
a) LAN is private, while WAN uses public infrastructure
b) LAN has slower speeds than WAN
c) WAN covers a smaller area than LAN
d) WAN is used within a building, while LAN is global
Answer: a) LAN is private, while WAN uses public infrastructure
Which of the following has the highest setup cost?
a) LAN
b) MAN
c) WAN
d) PAN
Answer: c) WAN
Which network type can be described as a “network of networks”?
a) LAN
b) MAN
c) WAN
d) PAN
Answer: c) WAN
Which network is generally owned and operated by a single organization?
a) WAN
b) MAN
c) LAN
d) PAN
Answer: c) LAN
Which of the following devices is typically used to connect a LAN?
a) Satellite
b) Router
c) Switch
d) Fiber optics
Answer: c) Switch
What is a major limitation of LAN?
a) Limited geographical coverage
b) Low speed
c) High cost
d) Use of public infrastructure
Answer: a) Limited geographical coverage
Which network is best for connecting offices across different countries?
a) LAN
b) MAN
c) WAN
d) PAN
Answer: c) WAN
Which protocol is commonly associated with LANs?
a) Ethernet
b) MPLS
c) Frame Relay
d) ATM
Answer: a) Ethernet
What is the key technology enabling high-speed connections in MANs?
a) DSL
b) Fiber optics
c) Coaxial cables
d) Microwave communication
Answer: b) Fiber optics