Difference Between LAN,WAN and MAN

LAN,MAN and MAN  are three main data communication technologies which have been currently using in our advanced communication network system. These technologies are covered the communication distance between 100 to above 1000 meters. In this article we will describe what is main difference between LAN,WAN and MAN as well as with the basic of these three technologies such as their IP addresses ,MAC addresses ,TCP protocols, ARP protocols  and their network devices such their router, bridge, switch ,,firewall  and gateway etc. The simple figure of these three technologies is shown below,

Figure 1 LAN,WAN and MAN Network Systems

Introduction to LAN

• The word LAN stands for local area network. It is small area network system that is mainly used in small offices, homes or nearby buildings for connecting their computers with each other. 10 to 100 users could be easily shared their data with each other at same time with out any interruption.
• Beside this, the data resources such as printer, hard disk or modem etc. also shared with one computer to another computer through this LAN system.
• In this condition when one computer is connected with another computer such as 10 to 100 then this computer is act as a controller. All the data is controlled though this controller unit.
• This controller unit is connected  with other units through LAN cable such as twisted pair of cable or coaxial cable etc. or wireless or the combination of both.
• Initially, this system was designed for sending data rate 108 per bit but later on it was developed for sending data rate whose range from 10 Mbps,100 Mbps and 1Gbps. A simple hotel local area network system is shown in figure 2

Figure 2 A Simple Hotel LAN System

Here we shell describe this LAN system with a simple example shown in figure 2 for reader understanding. In this figure PMS is the power management system, because it is connected with other units through cable  therefore it acts a controller unit. It controlled the other units or devices such as electronic locking system , call accounting system, and energy management system etc. All the instructions are executed or de-executed through this control unit.

Introduction to WAN

• The word WAN stands for wide area network system. It is lager area network system which is normally used as country level or state level.
• This system is mostly used for two purpose such as for sending or receiving data as well as with voice. For installing this WAN system a typical router is required for making the connection between LAN to WAN.
• So many examples of WAN system are available, but the best example is internet in whole country, because it connects the LAN and MAN with the help of ISPs. A simple WAN system is shown in figure 3

Figure 3 WAN System

Introduction to MAN

• The word MAN stands for metropolitan area network. It is the type of network which has higher  data transfer rate and greater coverage area, but this data rate and coverage area is greater then LAN but less then WAN.
• The most famous example of  this metropolitan area network is the TV cable system which is locally installed at house level. In this system, cable company received the TV channel from satellite and then send it to individual house  through coaxial cable.

Difference Between LAN,WAN & MAN

Here we shell describe the main difference between LAN,WAN and MAN with the help of table,