What is the difference between a LAN, WAN, and MAN in terms of Network Infrastructure Design?
In network infrastructure design, LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), and MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) serve distinct purposes based on geographical scale and functionality.
LAN is designed for smaller areas such as offices, schools,
or buildings. It focuses on high-speed, low-latency connectivity between
devices like computers, printers, and servers. Since LAN operates within a
limited range, it typically uses Ethernet or Wi-Fi, ensuring high performance
and reliability with minimal cost and complexity.
WAN covers much larger areas, often spanning cities,
countries, or even globally. WAN connects multiple LANs and is typically used
by enterprises with geographically dispersed locations. WAN infrastructure
relies on technologies like MPLS, leased lines, or internet VPNs to maintain
connectivity across long distances. However, WANs usually suffer from higher
latency and lower speeds compared to LAN due to the distances involved.
MAN operates on a medium scale, covering a metropolitan area
such as a city or a campus. It bridges the gap between LAN and WAN, offering
higher speeds than WAN but over larger distances than LAN. MANs use fiber-optic
cables or wireless technology to connect different locations within a city,
balancing cost-efficiency with scalability.
Each type of network plays a critical role in overall network
infrastructure design based on the size and needs of the organization.
Comments
Post a Comment