LAN is an acronym that stands for local area network or a group of computers including network devices that have all been connected together. LANs can be thought of as private networks. Some residences with more than one computer connected to the Internet have LANs or home networks that share resources including their Internet connection.
Sometimes, the computers that comprise a LAN are all in the same office or in the same building. In this case, the number of computers connected through a specific LAN will be small. However, sometimes LANs are spread across several buildings and can include hundreds or even thousands of computers.
The primary purpose of a LAN is to link all of the computers together within a specific company, organization, or group in order to facilitate sharing among the computers. This sharing functionality will include the ability to share files, printers, and servers. A LAN can be connected to other, larger LANs as well as to wide area networks or WANs. Typically, the Internet connection on the computers within a LAN is high speed. The expense to put together a LAN is much lower than the cost to put together a WAN.
Although the basic concept of LANs is utilized throughout each one, the specifics vary. In general, however, some components are universal or common across LANs. These components include: the connective media for the devices, the protocols for transmitting data across a LAN, the interfaces that are included on each of the devices to facilitate connection to media, and the software that is utilized. In particular, the software administers the network services.
WAN is an acronym that stands for wide area network. A WAN is not limited by geographic location and can span several states, countries, or even the entire world. However, a particular wide area network might be confined within specified boundaries such as those determined by a state or country. Typically, it includes geographically dispersed telecommunications as connotated by the use of the word, wide.
In general, a WAN is used to connect several, smaller LANs or even to connect several large LANS. In fact, a WAN or wide area network might be restricted to a specific company, organization, or enterprise. On the other hand, WANs are often collective efforts and exist simply at the discretion of several organizations or companies.
WANs might be accessible to the public, and yet they do not have to be accessible to the public. One example of a public WAN that is also on a worldwide level is the Internet.
Typically, the Internet connection on the computers within a WAN is high speed.
The technology used with a WAN is generally expensive in comparison to that used within a LAN. This is generally related to the greater amount of distance that is involved with a WAN as well as the greater number of computers and devices that are involved. Another difference between the two is that LANs are often privately owned, whereas WANs can be privately owned, rented, or publicly owned.
Susan Keenan | August 26th, 2008
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