1.    LAN - Local-Area Network

2.    WAN - Wide-Area Network

3.    MAN - Metropolitan-Area Network

1)LAN (Local Area Network)

What is LAN or Local Area Network

LAN stands for Local Area Network. It covers a small area. Most LANs are used to connect computers in a single building or group of near buildings.


Hundreds or thousands of computers may be connected through LAN. LANs are used in office buildings, college or university campus etc. Local Area Networks can transfer data at a very high speed. Data transmission speeds of LAN are 1 to 100 megabits per second.

Examples of Local Area Network

Different types of networks - what is LAN-local area network

Following are examples of LAN:

1. LAN is used in a computer lab to connect computers. The students can share software, files and data in the lab. They can send messages to each other with the help of Local area network.
2. In Internet cafe, many computers can be connected through LAN -  local area network. These computers can share single connection of Internet. This saves a lot of money.
3. Local Area Network can be used in an office to share common data and a network printer and any other software or hardware.
4. A local area network in a digital library can provide access to centralized collection of digital books for many readers using different computers in library building.

2)WAN (Wide Area Network)

What is WAN or Wide Area Network?
WAN stands for wide area network. It covers a large area. WAN connects computers in different cities, countries and continents. So, Wide Area Networks are used to transfer data over very long distances across cities, countries or even in whole world. WANs are used to connect LANs and other types of networks together, so that users and computers in one location can communicate with users and computers in other locations.
Computers in WAN are often connected through leased lines telephone lines. They can also be connected through satellites. Transmission rate of WAN is 56 kbps to 45 Mbps. WAN is expensive than LAN. WAN is not as fast as LAN. There is a possibility of error in data transmission due to very long distance they cover. The largest WAN  is the Internet. With the help of internet, we can send our data in any part of the world.

Examples of WAN

In air line ticketing system, many offices of an air line company can be joined together using WAN. A person can get a ticket from any office in the country.
A bank with many branches in different cities can connect its branches through WAN. The customer can use his account from any branch.

3)MAN (Metropolitan-Area Network)

What is MAN or Metropolitan Area Network?
A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a network that covers an area of the size of a city. So, a MAN is larger than a local area network but it is smaller than a WAN. A MAN is optimized for a larger geographical area than a LAN, ranging from several blocks of buildings to entire cities. MANs can use communications channels of moderate-to-high data transfer rates. It may use fiber Optic cable for fast speeds.
A MAN typically includes one or more LANs but cover a small area than WAN. A MAN often acts as a high-speed network.

Examples of MAN or Metropolitan Area Network:

1. Mobile phones systems often use MAN to broadcast the mobile data in the form of radio waves.
2. Many local ISPs manage MAN with the help of cable modems within a city.
3. Local cable TV networks also uses MAN technologies to transfer mobile data through radio waves.