by Matthew Adams

Created on: June 03, 2008   Last Updated: October 23, 2009

There are two basic types of network, the LAN and WAN. LAN stands for local area network and WAN stands for wide area network. There are obvious differences between the two network types.

To begin with local area networks. They are smaller networks, usually within an office base. Connections between the workstations are physical, with cables, and all the office resources are shared and distributed between the network workstations. The most common type of LAN is that of Ethernet. This is a family of frame-based computer networking technologies for LANs.

WAN, or wide area networks, are broader geographic networks, like one city to another. They are more of a collection of interconnected LAN networks. Other WANs, provided by service providers, connect local networks to the Internet. In actual fact the Internet is more a specific Internetwork, not a straight WAN.

While LANs are smaller, collectively they can be linked to create the WAN. This really is done using a series of routers, and bridges, which are basically network hardware devices which enable interconnectivity between separate LANs. With the option of expanding into small-scale WANs.

The real contrasting features of LANs in comparison to WANs is that of their data transfer rate, need for leased lines and geographical range. LANs are faster, with 10 GB data transfer rates. Likewise, as has been mentioned, LANs encompass a smaller geographical area. WANs also rely on common carriers, while LANs do not.

Aside from these differences users of a LAN will more likely need password validation as it will have specific user rights. While smaller WANs might also have this, it is less likely. LAN networks will generally be more private than WAN networks, and will have some sort of networking software and probably a network administrator. Hardware resources are shared on a LAN, while with a WAN the focus is more on communications.

The network topology of LANs is often peer-to-peer. That is to say, each client shares is resources with other workstations in the network. WAN networks will operate on a more client-to-server basis with interconnected LANs. Really, all this means is that the resources are requested from a central server.

One other big difference between the networks is the cost to set up a LAN in relation to a WAN. A single LAN network will be cheaper to set up than that of a larger WAN, with more workstations and more hardware connection requirements with the need for a leased line. In essence, one big LAN in comparison to a small WAN will be the cheaper option.

So, the differences between LANs and WANs are indeed greater than just that of size. There are differences in network topology, hardware requirements, software requirements as well as technical specifications and cost.

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