LAN,MAN and WAN

Differences between Lan(Local Area Network), Man(Metropolitan Area Network) and Wan(Wide Area Network)

• Lan(Local Area Network) : The simplest form of LAN is to connect two computers together or connection of the computers and devices in the office or home.
• Man(Metropolitan Area Network) : Connects local area networks(LAN) in a metropolitan area such as a city or town.Handles the bulk of communications activity across the region.
• Wan(Wide Area Network) :Cover a large geographic area using a communications channel that combines many types of media such as telephone lines,cables and radio waves.

Criteria	LAN	MAN	WAN
Area  of coverage	Network cover limited geographical area such as closely positioned group of buildings network , at home,network  inside computer laboratory and network in office building	A high speed network that connects Local Area Networks in a Metropolitan Area such as a cities or town	Network cover large geographical area such a countries,the continents or the world
Network size	Small size (in a building)	Larger size (in a cities or campus)	Largest size (different states or countries)
Speed	Fastest in data transferring and access time	Slower in data transferring and access time	Slowest in data transferring and access time
Example	Network inside the computer  lab, Network around school and Network inside your home	Surveillance system,Traffic light monitoring system and Cable Network TV	Car Navigation System, Video conference, Intelligent and Transportation System(ITS)
Communi-cation devices	Connected using modems,hubs, switch and router	Connected using modems,hubs, switch,router	The connection is made via satellite communication link or via internet
Cost	Less costly setup and maintenance	More costly setup and maintenance	Costliest setup and maintenance
Network ownership	Private Owned,controlled and manage by a single person or organization	Private- Owned and operated by a single entity such as a government or large corporation	Not owned up any one organization but exist under collective or distributed ownership