Kamis, 19 Maret 2015
What is the
difference between a LAN, a MAN, and a WAN?
A LAN (local
area network) is a group of computers and network devices connected together,
usually within the same building. By definition, the connections must be high
speed and relatively inexpensive (e.g., token ring or Ethernet). Most Indiana
University Bloomington departments are on LANs.
A LAN connection is a high-speed
connection to a LAN. On the IUB campus, most connections are either Ethernet
(10 Mbps) or Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps), and a few locations have Gigabit
Ethernet (1000 Mbps) connections.
A MAN
(metropolitan area network) is a larger network that usually spans several
buildings in the same city or town. The IUB network is an example of a MAN.
A WAN (wide
area network), in comparison to a MAN, is not restricted to a geographical
location, although it might be confined within the bounds of a state or
country. A WAN connects several LANs, and may be limited to an enterprise (a
corporation or an organization) or accessible to the public. The technology is
high speed and relatively expensive. The Internet is an example of a worldwide
public WAN.
