What Is A LAN?
So we know two things about a LAN just from from the name "Local Area Network"---the devices on them are networked and they're local. And it's that local part that really defines a LAN and distinguishes it from other types of networks like Wide Area Networks (WANs) and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). LANs are typically confined within a small ar
What Kinds of Technology Are Used in A LAN?
The types of technology used in a LAN is really dependent on the number of devices and the services provided on the network. The two basic connection types used on modern LANs---no matter the size---are Ethernet cables and Wi-Fi. Related: Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet: How Much Better Is a Wired Connection? On a typical home or small office LAN, you might fin
So, What Are Wans and Mans?
Wide Area Networks (WANs) and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are actually pretty similar. You'll even see the term Campus Area Networks (CANs) popping up occasionally. They are all somewhat overlapping terms, and nobody really agrees on a firm distinction. Essentially, they are networks that connect together multiple LANs. For people who do make