The various types of networks based on their sizes:
- A local area network (LAN) is a collection of computers linked together in a small space such as a school, hospital, or apartment. Because the local area network has no external connections, the data that is transferred is safe on the local area network and cannot be accessed from the outside. Because of their small size, LANs are more quicker, with speeds ranging from 100 to 100Mbps.
- A MAN network connects LANs to a bigger network of computers to cover a broader area. Various Local area networks are connected to each other by telephone connections in the Metropolitan area network. A metropolitan area network (MAN) is larger than a local area network (LAN) but smaller than a wide area network (WAN). A MAN covers a broader area of a city or town.
- Data is transmitted over large distances using a wide area network. The WAN is larger than the LAN and the MAN. A WAN can span a country, continent, or even the entire globe. A WAN connection is an example of a wide-area network. Mobile broadband connections, such as 3G and 4G, are another type of WAN.
