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Beginner Topic 3 of 50 Computer Networks

LAN, WAN and MAN

Networks classified by geographic scale.

How it works

A local area network spans a small area such as a home, office or campus, with high speed and low latency, usually Ethernet or Wi-Fi. A metropolitan area network covers a city using fiber rings or wireless links, and a wide area network spans cities, countries or continents using leased lines, MPLS, satellite or the internet. Ownership differs: LANs are privately owned, while WANs usually rely on carriers.

Step-by-step walkthrough

  1. A LAN covers a home, office or campus with fast links.
  2. A MAN spans a city, for example linking campus sites.
  3. A WAN spans countries using leased lines and the Internet.
  4. Speed generally falls and latency rises with distance.
  5. The Internet is a WAN made of many linked networks.

Where it is used

Companies connect branch LANs over a WAN, universities run campus networks, and cities provide metro fiber. SD-WAN manages links between sites and cloud services.

Common pitfall

WAN links have higher latency, lower bandwidth and higher cost than LANs, so applications designed for LAN speed can perform badly across them. Chatty protocols suffer most. Misjudging where the boundary is affects security design. Use caching, compression, WAN optimization and appropriate protocols for long-distance paths.

Where it fits in the course

LAN, WAN and MAN is topic 3 of 50 in Computer Networks, rated Beginner. It follows Network Topologies. The next topic is OSI Model.

Practice and explore

How to study this topic

  1. Read the explanation above and restate the definition in your own words.
  2. Open the interactive lesson and answer its mini quiz.
  3. Read the common pitfall, then write a short example that avoids it.
  4. Check your understanding in the Computer Networks quiz, and revisit the topic if you miss a question.

Frequently asked questions

What is LAN, WAN and MAN?
Networks classified by geographic scale. It belongs to Computer Networks and is a beginner-level topic.
Where do people use LAN, WAN and MAN?
Companies connect branch LANs over a WAN, universities run campus networks, and cities provide metro fiber.
What is the most common mistake with LAN, WAN and MAN?
WAN links have higher latency, lower bandwidth and higher cost than LANs, so applications designed for LAN speed can perform badly across them.
What should I learn before this topic?
Start with Network Topologies, the topic just before it in Computer Networks.
How can I practice it?
Answer the mini quiz in the interactive lesson, then take the Computer Networks quiz.
Is LAN, WAN and MAN hard to learn?
It is a Beginner topic, so it works as an entry point. If the terms are new, read the explanation twice and try the visualizer before the quiz.
How long does it take to learn LAN, WAN and MAN?
Most learners can read the explanation and finish the interactive lesson in under an hour. Fluency comes from applying the idea, so plan a few short practice sessions with the quiz.
Which topics are related to LAN, WAN and MAN?
Network Topologies, OSI Model, What is a Network are closely connected. The full list is in the related topics section of this page.
What should I study after LAN, WAN and MAN?
Continue with OSI Model, the next topic in Computer Networks.

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