A local area network or network (LAN), or simply LAN, is a type of computer network that spans a small geographic area such as a home, office, small town, any building or institution. In the past, ARCNET and Token Ring were used as LANs, but compared to the Internet, Ethernet and Wi-Fi are the existing forms of LAN. Due to its localized nature, the data transfer rate on a local network is very high and can be controlled and managed by one person or a small organization. LAN maintenance costs are also very low.
What is WAN?
A wide area network, or simple global network, is a type of computer network that spans a vast geographic area and exchanges data across capitals, countries, national borders, across regions, and over long distances. Leased telecommunication lines are used. WANs are often used by business and government agencies to establish strong network connections between employees, customers, suppliers and customers around the world. Because of its wide reach, it often becomes difficult to manage and organize a LAN. In addition, the cost of maintaining the WAN is also high compared to PAN, LAN, CAN, and MAN.
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Key differences
The local area network must cover a small geographic area, so its data transfer rate is high. Although the WAN must travel long distances, this means that information must travel long distances, so the transmission rate will be automatically slow.
LANs are usually controlled and operated by one person or small organization, while WANs have collective or distributed ownership and management for each specified area.
The LAN has a low maintenance cost, while the WAN installation cost is usually higher due to the connection to remote areas
It is very easy to track down errors or malfunctions in the local network, which is very difficult in the case of a wide area network.
In fact, information technology specialists can work in various areas of information technology.
The error rate for data transmission on a WAN can be higher than on a LAN.
There is less congestion on the local network, and more congestion on the global network.
The local network has a small geographical coverage, so there is no need to lease telecommunication lines. Whereas the WAN uses leased lines due to its large geographic area covered.
For LAN connection it uses Ethernet and Token Ring technologies. The WAN uses MPLS, ATM, Frame Relay and X.25 technologies to establish long distance connections.