Define types of computer networks: LAN, MAN and WAN

Three types of network are:

- Local Area Network (LAN)

- Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

- Wide Area Network (WAN)

LAN

· Is a group of computers and network devices connected together, usually within the same building covering a small geographic area, like a home, office or School.

· Inexpensive hardware used in LAN( twisted pair, coaxial cables or wireless)

· LAN is a very high speed network which is faster than MAN and WAN

MAN

· Is a group of computers and network devices connected together

within a large physical area

· MAN uses fibre optics as connection medium

· MAN can be a collection of several LANs within the same city

· MAN often acts as a high speed network (although not as fast as a LAN).

WAN

· Defined as a group of computers and network devices connected

together across a very large physical area such as states or countries

· WAN is the largest network of all network types

· Internet is the largest WAN in the world

· WAN can be a group pf MANs or LANs or the mixture of both networks