PANs, LANs, and WANs, Oh My!

Trying to cover some of the basics this week in my undergraduate networking class. One question that regularly comes up is what the differences are between LANs and WANs. Well of course, if you are familiar with this concept, then the answer is simple. But for some of my students who are just starting out in technology in general and networking specifically, the delineations may not be quite so clear. Below, I have put together a short little video going over the characteristics of each and included some additional explanation for other types of networks.

Personal Area Networks (PANs):  PANs are small networks, usually made up of BlueTooth devices to quickly and easily connect devices within a few feet of each other.  We see examples such as BlueTooth headsets that link together with cell phones, BlueTooth Printers that wirelessly connect to computers to eliminate cables for printers. I have a little Google Nexus 7” tablet that connects via BlueTooth, eliminating the need to plug in any sort of cabling.

Local Area Networks (LANs): LANs are larger in scale.  Though different texts will provide similar but often distinct definitions, recognize that it can sometimes be difficult to determine precisely what represents a LAN versus a CAN versus a PAN, etc.  For the most part, a LAN exists on a single property where cables and wireless access points can be deployed without the need to lease lines from a carrier or obtain permission from anyone else.  LANs will consist of two or more nodes to usually no more than a few hundred and they will usually stretch no more than a few hundred feet.

Campus Area Networks (CANs): CANs are larger still.  Think of your local university or large corporate headquarters like Microsoft in Redmond Washington.  These are areas that have a need for more than a couple hundred nodes on the network.  Rather, they have a need to connect multiple LANs together yet all on contiguous property.  This LAN of LANs as described here, can be referred to as a CAN.

Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs): MANs are larger in scope yet again; this time spanning the size of a city or even multiple cities.  These are becoming more and more common.  Denton and Granbury Texas both have MANs that provide services not only to citizens, but also to workers who require network access in the field.

Wide Area Networks (WANs): WANs are the ultimate in scope.  They span larger regions still to potentially covering the planet.  The Internet is the ultimate example of a WAN though certainly not the only WAN that exists.  Many corporations lease lines in various cities around the world in order to establish their WAN. WANs often utilize public carriers such as AT&T, Sprint, and so on in order to capitalize on what they do well rather than have to become experts themselves at laying and maintaining lines around the world, a very expensive endeavor.