LAN vs WAN - Difference and Comparison _ Diffen
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LAN vs. WANCompare Anything ›› vs. GORouter Switch
Diffen › Technology › Telecommunications › Computer Networking
LAN, which stands for local area network, and WAN, which stands for widearea network, are two types of networks that allow for interconnectivitybetween computers. As the naming conventions suggest, LANs are for smaller,more localized networking — in a home, business, school, etc. — while WANscover larger areas, such as cities, and even allow computers in different nationsto connect. LANs are typically faster and more secure than WANs, but WANsenable more widespread connectivity. And while LANs tend to be owned,controlled and managed in‑house by the organization where they are deployed,WANs typically require two or more of their constituent LANs to be connectedover the public Internet or via a private connection established by a third‑partytelecommunications provider.
Comparison chart
LAN WAN
Stands For Local Area Network Wide Area Network
Covers Local areas only (e.g., homes,offices, schools)
Large geographic areas (e.g.,cities, states, nations)
Definition LAN (Local Area Network) is acomputer network covering asmall geographic area, like ahome, office, school, or group ofbuildings.
WAN (Wide Area Network) is acomputer network that covers abroad area (e.g., any networkwhose communications linkscross metropolitan, regional, ornational boundaries over a longdistance).
Speed High speed (1000 mbps) Less speed (150 mbps)
Data transfer rates LANs have a high data transferrate.
WANs have a lower data transferrate compared to LANs.
Example The network in an office buildingcan be a LAN
The Internet is a good example ofa WAN
Technology Tend to use certain connectivitytechnologies, primarily Ethernetand Token Ring
WANs tend to use technologieslike MPLS, ATM, Frame Relayand X.25 for connectivity overlonger distances
Connection One LAN can be connected toother LANs over any distance viatelephone lines and radio waves.
Computers connected to a wide‑area network are often connectedthrough public networks, such asthe telephone system. They canalso be connected through leasedlines or satellites.
Components Layer 2 devices like switches andbridges. Layer 1 devices like hubsand repeaters.
Layers 3 devices Routers, Multi‑layer Switches and Technologyspecific devices like ATM orFrame‑relay Switches etc.
Fault Tolerance LANs tend to have fewerproblems associated with them,as there are smaller number of
WANs tend to be less faulttolerant as they consist of largenumber of systems.
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1 What is a LAN?
2 What is a WAN?
3 Speed3.1 Wired vs. Wireless Speeds
4 Security
5 References
as there are smaller number of
systems to deal with.
number of systems.
DataTransmission
Error
Experiences fewer datatransmission errors
Experiences more datatransmission errors as comparedto LAN
Ownership Typically owned, controlled, andmanaged by a single person ororganization.
WANs (like the Internet) are notowned by any one organizationbut rather exist under collectiveor distributed ownership andmanagement over long distances.
Set‑up costs If there is a need to set‑up acouple of extra devices on thenetwork, it is not very expensiveto do that.
For WANs since networks inremote areas have to beconnected the set‑up costs arehigher. However WANs usingpublic networks can be setupvery cheaply using just software(VPN etc).
GeographicalSpread
Have a small geographical rangeand do not need any leasedtelecommunication lines
Have a large geographical rangegenerally spreading acrossboundaries and need leasedtelecommunication lines
Maintenance costs Because it covers a relativelysmall geographical area, LAN iseasier to maintain at relativelylow costs.
Maintaining WAN is difficultbecause of its wider geographicalcoverage and higher maintenancecosts.
Bandwidth High bandwidth is available fortransmission.
Low bandwidth is available fortransmission.
Congestion Less congestion More congestion
Contents: LAN vs WAN
What is a LAN?
Local area networks (LANs) allow computers and devices that are near each other —and usually making use of the same switch or router — to connect to share files andcomplete tasks. Consisting only of everyday devices (e.g., desktops, laptops, tablets,printers), router and/or switch, and Ethernet cables or wireless cards, LANs arerelatively inexpensive to set up and are commonly used in homes.
Ethernet cables, like the Cat5, Cat5e, and Cat6 and Cat6a, can be used to physicallyconnect computers to the network. In the instances where fiber‑to‑the‑home (or similar)is available, copper cabling may also be used at some point. Wi‑Fi has become one ofthe most popular methods for wireless networking over a local network.
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What is a WAN?
A wide area network (WAN) is used to connect computers that are not close to oneanother. It is possible — and almost always the case — that LANs are connected toWANs. This enables small home or office networks to connect to wider networks, suchas those across state or country lines. Most WANs connect through public networks,like the telephone system, or via leased lines. The Internet, which connects computersall around the world, can be considered the largest WAN in existence.
Many interconnected LANs can become part of a larger WAN.
Speed
How fast data can be transferred over a LAN or WAN depends on the quality and datatransfer capabilities of oneʹs hardware and cables.
Having all the computers in a LAN physically connected to a router (or sometimes aswitch) is the fastest way to transfer data between computers on a LAN. Moreover,using modern cables — Cat5e and better — will ensure the best data transfer speeds.
WAN speeds are affected by a number of factors. The equipment used in LANs that areconnected to WANs affects a userʹs experience, as does the type of cabling used in thewide area network itself. WANs are typically slower than LANs due to the distancedata must travel. For example, data transfers between two different states in the U.S.are faster than data transfers between London and Los Angeles. High‑quality, coppersubmarine cables are used to help speed up data transfers between nations.
Wired vs. Wireless Speeds
Wirelessly transferring data via Wi‑Fi significantly slows down transfer speeds, astypical wireless technology has a theoretical maximum speed that is lower than a wiredconnectionʹs theoretical maximum speed. Wireless connections will also likely feelless reliable, as wireless signals may experience interference from other devicesʹ
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signals, from separating walls, from radio waves, etc. If consistent high speeds areneeded within a LAN or WAN, particularly for business or gaming purposes, oneshould be physically connected to the network.
It is worth noting, however, that wireless technology has begun to ʺcatch upʺ to wiredtechnology in recent years. While the most reliable, high‑speed connection is still onethat is wired, wireless technology will likely feel just as comfortable for the averageuser.
Security
The most secure computer is one that is not connected to any network. LANs are saferthan WANs, just by the nature and scope of a wide area network. The more peopleinvolved in interconnectivity, the greater chance there is for foul play. Using properrouter security settings can help protect computers that connect to a network.
ReferencesWikipedia: Local area networkWikipedia: Wide area network
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