A Simple Guide to Network Types - PAN, LAN, MAN, and WAN
A computer network connects devices so they can share information. We can group networks into four main types based on their size. These types are:
- PAN
- LAN
- MAN
- WAN
PAN (Personal Area Network)
A PAN is a tiny network for one person’s devices. It connects things that are very close to each other, like on your desk or in your pocket.
A PAN is a network just for you.
Examples of PAN
- Connecting a smartphone to Bluetooth headphones.
- Using a wireless mouse with a computer.
- Syncing a smartwatch with a phone.
- Connecting a phone to a car’s stereo.
- Sending a file from a laptop to a phone using a USB cable.
More About PAN
- How big is it? It covers a very small area, just a few feet.
- How fast is it? It has good speed for personal devices and costs very little.
- How is it used? It connects your personal gadgets together.
LAN (Local Area Network)
A LAN is a network that covers a small, local area. It connects devices in a single building or a small group of buildings.
A LAN connects devices in one place, like a home or school.
Examples of LAN
- The Wi-Fi network in a home.
- All the computers in a school’s computer lab.
- The printers and computers connected in a small office.
- The public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop.
- The network at a local library.
More About LAN
- How big is it? It covers a single building or a small campus.
- How fast is it? It is very fast and does not cost much to set up.
- How is it used? It is used to share files, printers, and the internet in one location.
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
A MAN is a network that is bigger than a LAN. It can connect computers across a whole city or a very large university campus.
A MAN is a network for a whole city.
Examples of MAN
- A cable TV network that serves an entire city.
- A university’s network that connects different campuses in a city.
- A network connecting all government buildings downtown.
- A chain of local hospital branches that share information.
- A city-wide public Wi-Fi network.
More About MAN
- How big is it? It is larger than a LAN and can cover an entire city.
- How fast is it? It is faster than a WAN but slower than a LAN.
- How is it used? It connects different LANs together across a city.
WAN (Wide Area Network)
A WAN is the largest type of computer network. It connects devices over very large areas, like a country or even the entire world.
A WAN connects networks across the globe. The Internet is a WAN.
Examples of WAN
- The Internet is the biggest WAN in the world.
- A bank’s network that connects all its branches in a country.
- A company’s network that connects its offices in different countries.
- A military’s network that connects bases around the world.
- An online gaming network for players in different countries.
More About WAN
- How big is it? It can cover a country or the whole world.
- How fast is it? It is usually slower than a LAN and costs a lot to manage.
- How is it used? It is used to connect different LANs over long distances.
Quick Summary
| Aspect | PAN | LAN | MAN | WAN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covers Area | A few feet (Personal) | One building (Local) | A city (Metropolitan) | A country or the world (Wide) |
| Speed | Good | Very Fast | Fast | Slower |
| Cost | Very Low | Low | Medium | High |
| Main Use | Connecting personal devices | Sharing in one place | Connecting LANs in a city | Connecting networks globally |
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