Local area networks (LANs) are privately owned networks within a single building or campus that connect devices like personal computers and workstations. They allow for resource and information sharing between devices. LANs are distinguished by their small size of up to a few kilometers, transmission technologies used, and network topologies. Metropolitan area networks (MANs) cover larger geographical areas like an entire city and provide internet connectivity to multiple LANs. While MANs provide greater access and sharing, they are more costly and difficult to implement than LANs due to requiring more hardware, software, and security measures over a wider area.

1. LAN’S AND MAN’S

2. LANS: LOCAL AREA NETWORKS
 Local area networks, generally called LANs, are
privately-owned networks within a single building or
campus of up to a few kilometers in size.

3.  They are widely used to connect personal computers and
work stations in company offices and factories to share
resources (e.g., printers) and exchange information.
 LANs are distinguished from other kinds of network by 3
characteristics: (1)their size, (2) their transmission
technology, and (3) their topology.

4. • RESOURCE SHARING
• SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS SHARING
• EASY AND CHEAP COMMUNICATION
• CENTRALISED DATA
• DATA SECURITY
• INTERNET SHARING

5. DISADVANTAGES OF LAN
• HIGH SETUP COST: Although LAN will save cost over
time but the initial setup cost of installing Local Area
Networks is high.
• PRIVACY VIOLATIONS: The LAN administrator has the
rights to check personal data files of each and every LAN
user. Moreover he can check the internet history and
computer use history of the LAN users.
• MAINTENANCE JOB: Managing a large network is
complicated, requires training and a network manager usually
needs to be employed.
• COVERS LIMITED AREA: Local Area Network covers a
small area like one office, one building or a group of nearby
buildings.

6. METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORKS
(MAN)
 A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a large
computer network on the large geographical area that
include several buildings or even the entire city
(metropolis).
 Example:

7.  The geographical area of the MAN is larger than LAN,
but smaller than WAN.
 Includes many communicating devices and
provides the Internet connectivity for the LANs in
the metropolitan area.

8. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
It provides a good back
bone for a large network
and provides greater access
to WAN.
It can be costly as it
required hardware
,software,etc.
Resources shared on
network can be accessed
extremely quickly.
Difficult to make system
secure from hackers.
It covers entire city . It requires large cabling.