Difference between MAN and WAN

MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network, which is a network that spans a metropolitan area or a city. It is designed to connect multiple locations within a metropolitan area, typically covering a range of up to 50 kilometers.WAN, on the other hand, stands for Wide Area Network, which is a network that covers a large geographical area, such as a country, a continent, or even the entire world. In this article we will see difference between MAN and WAN in detail.

What is Metropolitan Area Network?

MAN covers the largest area than LAN such as Small towns, cities, etc. MAN connects 2 or a lot of computers that area unit apart, however, resides within the same or completely different cities. MAN is expensive and should or might not be owned by one organization. 

Advantages of Metropolitan Area Network

• MANs provide high-speed connectivity within a metropolitan area, making it possible for businesses and organizations to communicate and share resources quickly and efficiently.
• MANs are scalable and can be expanded to accommodate more users or additional locations as a business grows.
• MANs offer low latency, which means that data can be transmitted quickly and efficiently between devices within the network.

Disadvantages of Metropolitan Area Network

• MANs are limited to a specific geographic area, making it difficult to connect geographically dispersed locations.
• It can be subject to bandwidth limitations, particularly during periods of high usage, which can impact performance and user experience.
• MANs can be vulnerable to security breaches, particularly if proper security measures are not implemented and maintained.

What is Wide Area Network?

WAN covers the large area than LAN as well as MAN such as: Country/Continent etc. WAN is expensive and should or might not be owned by one organization. PSTN or Satellite medium are used for wide area network. 

Advantages of WAN

• WANs provide connectivity over long distances, making it possible for geographically dispersed locations to communicate and share resources.
• It's scalable and can be expanded to accommodate more users or additional locations as a business grows.
• It's use high-quality communication links, such as leased lines and dedicated circuits, to ensure reliable and consistent connectivity.

Disadvantages of WAN

• WANs can be expensive to implement and maintain, as they require specialized equipment and infrastructure.
• It can be complex to set up and manage, requiring specialized technical expertise and support.
• It can be subject to bandwidth limitations, particularly over long distances, which can impact performance and user experience.
• It's require regular maintenance to ensure proper functionality and to address any issues that arise.

 Difference between MAN and WAN

Conclusion

MAN and WAN are two types of networks used to connect devices over different geographic areas. MAN covers a smaller area than WAN, typically a single city or a large campus, while WAN covers a larger area, spanning multiple cities, countries, or even continents.