Understanding Computer Networks: Exploring LAN, MAN, and WAN

LOCAL AREA NETWORK -

                        A LAN is a privately owned network connecting devices within a single room building or campus extending upto a few kilometers in size. the primary application of a Lan is to share resources and exchange information by connecting PCs workstations and other hardware in offices organization and institutions.

• SIZE- lans are restricted in size which makes it possible to determine transmission speed and also simplifies network management.

           many organization have multiple Lans which can be connected by devices like bridges or switches. A bridge is used to connect two lan segment and passes data from one segment to another.

METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK -

                     
                   A MAN is a network which extends over an entire city. it may be a single network such as the comman cable television network or it may connect seyeral Lans. for example- a company may use a Man to connect all into Lans in its offices spread throughout a city.  the ownership of Man may be wholly private or a public service company such as a local telephone company.
                
                      Recent development in wireless technology have resulted in another Man standardized as IEEE 802.16 and called WIMAX(Worldwide Interoperability Microwave Access).

WIDE AREA NETWORK -

                           

                       A WAN spans a large geographical area often a country continent or the whole world. provides long distance transmission of the data voice images and videos. Wan generally use public private or leased communication  equipment in combination . Wans typically use point to poin transmission technology.

                  

                      the machines which run user application are referred to as host and also called end systems. the hosts are connected by communication subnet or subnet which carries data from host to host. nearly all Wans have store and forward or packet switched subnets that is when a massage arrives at an intermediate system like a router it is stored there until the required output line is free and then forwarded to the next node.