The differences between a LAN and a WAN have stated as follows.

[1]. Definition

LAN :- A LAN is a Local Area Network. Local means area is limited within 40 to 60 kilometer ; usually used to a network contained within a building, an office or a campus.

WAN:- A WAN is a Wide Area Network Wide means area is vast i.e. a computer network spanning a regional, national or global area.

[2]. Cost

LAN:- Cost of data transmission in LAN is less because the transmission medium is owned by a single organization.

WAN:- In case of WAN the cost of data transmission is very high because the transmission medium used are hired, either telephone lines or satellite links.

[3]. Security

LAN:- The reliability of network is high because the failure of one computer in the network does not effect the functioning for other computers. Physical security among computers in a LAN is also high.

WAN:- Network & Physical reliability is lower than LAN network. Failure of
one computer in the network may effect the functioning of other computer. The company connected with WAN (i.e. Internet) does not know what physical protections have been made to the rest of the WAN so it may be a threat for the company.

[4]. Speed

LAN: - A LAN is about 10 times faster than WAN and transmits data with a speed of several megabits per second (106 bits per second).

WAN: - A WAN is generally slow. The fastest WAN is almost 155 Mbs.

[5]. Transmission Medium

LAN: - The computer terminals and peripheral devices are connected with wires and coaxial cables. The transmission medium is normally coaxial cables.

WAN: - The transmission medium used is normally telephone lines, microwaves and satellite links.

[6]. Use

LAN: - File transfers and Access, Word and text processing, Electronic message handling, Remote database access, Digital voice transmission and storage

WAN: - It is used for Communication facility, Remote data entry, and to Centralize information.

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