Geographical differentiation¶

LAN (Local Area Network)¶

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a group of computers that are networked within a narrowly defined area, for example, within a house or several buildings. The computers usually have a common address range.

WAN (Wide Area Network)¶

If networks are connected through so-called routers, a Wide Area Network (WAN) is created. A WAN is not limited in its extension. An example of a WAN is the Internet.

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)¶

A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a network that connects the users of computer resources in a geographical area or region. The area covered is larger than a large LAN, but smaller than a WAN. The term is used for the combination of networks in a city to form a larger overall network (which in turn can provide an efficient connection option to a WAN). It also refers to the connection of several LANs by bridging them through a backbone line (basic connection, for example, for telecommunications). This type of application is sometimes also referred to as a campus network.

Clients, servers, printers and routers are connected through data cables (copper cable, fiber optics). Logins to the network, data and program requests, print jobs and Internet access are controlled and processed by the network participants (for example, servers, routers). The network participants manage the users and their rights. There are read, write and execute rights for files and for directories, print rights or rights for Internet access. A network can be set up securely and individually using these authorizations.