Local Area(LAN)& Metropolitian Area Network (MAN) -Adv, Disadv, Application (Fundamentals of Computer Network)

1. Local Area Network(LAN): 

Prime features :

• floor/building-wide 
• single communication medium 
• no routing, broadcast 
• segments connected by switches or hubs 
• High bandwidth, low latency 
• Ethernet - 10Mbps, 100Mbps,1Gbps 
• no latency guarantees 

• It is designed for small physical areas such as an office, group of buildings or a factory. 
• LANs are used widely as it is easy to design and to troubleshoot. 
• Personal computers and workstations are connected to each other through LANs. 
• We can use different types of topologies through LAN, these are Star, Ring, Bus, Tree etc. 
• LAN can be a simple network like connecting two computers, to share files and network among each other while it can also be as complex as interconnecting an entire building. 
• LAN networks are also widely used to share resources like printers, shared hard-drive etc. 

 

Advantages :

• Cost reductions through sharing of information and databases, resources and network services. 
• Increased information exchange between different departments in an organization, or between individuals. 
• The trend to automate communication and manufacturing process. 

 

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• Disadvantages :

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1. Special security measures are needed to stop users from using programs and data that they should not have access to; 
2. Networks are difficult to set up and need to be maintained by skilled technicians. 
3. If the file server develops a serious fault, all the users are affected, rather than just one user in the case of a stand-alone machine. 

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Application :

• One of the computer in a network can become a server serving all the remaining computers called clients.  
• Software can be stored on the server and it can be used by the remaining clients. 
• Connecting Locally all the workstations in a building to let them communicate with each other locally without any internet access. Sharing common resources like printers etc are common applications of LAN. 

 

 2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): 

Metropolitan Area Network 

1. It is basically a bigger version of LAN. 
2. It is also called MAN and uses the similar technology as LAN. 
3. It is designed to extend over the entire city. 
4. It can be means to connecting a number of LANs into a larger network or it can be a single cable. 
5. It is mainly hold and operated by single private company or a public company.  

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• Features 

• City-wide - up to 50kms 

• Digital Subscriber line (DSL) : .25 - 8 MBPS, 5.5 km from switch 

• BellSouth: 0.8 - 6 MBPS 

 

Cable Modem: 1.5 MBPS, longer range than DSL 

Brighthouse w/ roadrunner: .5 - 10 MBPS 

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• Advantages 

1. It provides a good back bone for a large network, provides greater access to WANs. 
2. The dual bus used in MAN helps the transmission of data in both direction simultaneously. 
3. A MAN usually encompasses several blocks of a city or entire city. 

 

• Disadvantages 

1. More cable required for a MAN connection from one place to another. 
2. It is difficult to make the system secure from hackers, industrial espionage (spying) graphical regions. 

 

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• Applications 

• The MAN can be used to provide services including

1. telecoms
2. Internet access, 
3. television and 

• CCTV to businesses and citizens in these metropolitan areas. 

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