What is the difference between a LAN, WAN, and MAN...man?

What is the difference between a Lan, Wan, and Man...?

LAN, WAN, and MAN are the 3 networks that all computers are a part of.  A network is a group of hardware components and computers that are connected for the sole purpose of sharing information and resources.  For example, if five(5) computers and one printer were joined together within a network, all 5 computers would have access to use the one printer.  If we were addressing wireless networks, they would simply be referred to as WWAN, WLAN, and WMAN.  When referring to WAN, LAN, MAN, these refer to wired cabling networks, and WWAN, WLAN, WMAN are for wireless networks.  Got it?  Great let’s move on.

What is a LAN?

A LAN (local area network) is a group of computers and network devices connected together, usually within the same building. By definition, the connections must be high speed and relatively inexpensive (e.g., token ring or Ethernet).  A department store for example runs on a LAN.  Most connections are either Ethernet (10Mbps) or Fast Ethernet (100Mbps), and more locations are now moving to Gigabit Ethernet (1000Mbps) connections.  (For greater speed)

What is a MAN?

A Man (metropolitan area network) is a larger network of computers.  Large universities that span across multiple buildings or large corporations would set their computers and network devices on a MAN network.  (see image below)

What is a WAN?

A WAN (wide area network) is a group of computers and network devices connected together, usually within a whole country of geographical area.  The internet would be considered a worldwide public WAN.  (Or WWAN for you wireless folks)  WAN were set up to connect MAN networks together.

A bit more information:

More and more companies are moving to wireless networks.  At this time wired networks offer the capability to handle the highest speeds.  But as technology moves forward, wireless networks will eventually be able to handle top speeds just like their wired cousins.  And without the cabling mess!

MAN networks like GSM, GPRS, 3G, 4G, are becoming the next generations of fast networks.  Do they sound familiar?  Yep, these are the networks our cell phones run on!

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