LAN MAN and WAN

1.      Local Area Network (LAN)

LAN is a network which connects computers in a small area, such as in a building, a school, a campus, or a company. LAN commonly consists of one or more computers that function as a server that serves data to the other computers as the users. We called them clients. To connect computers in LAN, usually copper wire or optical fiber is used. Wireless connection can also be used.

2.      Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

MAN  commonly covers a larger area than LAN, i.e. covering an area in a town. In a larger geographical scope, MAN consists of some interconnected LANs.

3.      Wide Area Network (WAN)

Compared to MAN, WAN connects computers in a larger region geographically (e.g. province, island, state, or continent). Thus, WAN is a network which connects many MANs.

Basically, WAN is almost similar to LAN or MAN; the only difference is in term of geographical scope. However, in an era of TCP/IP, the network classification of LAN, MAN, and WAN is no longer relevant. Now the classification has changed to Intranet, Internet, and Virtual Private Network (VPN).