Difference Wiki

LAN vs. WAN

LAN and WAN are two different kinds of network connections used for communication between the devices attached to a particular network. LAN stands for Local Area Network, and WAN stands for Wide Area Network. In a LAN computers are attached to each other using a network device such as a hub, switch or router. LAN is limited to a small geographical area. An office, a school, an organization possess their LAN. LAN is usually inside a single building. On the other hand, WAN is the wide area network that is formed by attaching multiple LANs together. It is widespread regarding the geographical area. We can also say that a WAN comprise of several LANs connected with each other. WAN can be widely spread over a country or even across the borders.

Key Differences

LAN covers the small geographical area.
WAN covers the wide geographical area.
Samantha Walker
Jul 07, 2017
WAN stands for Wide Area Network.
LAN uses layer 1 and layer two network devices.
Aimie Carlson
Jul 07, 2017
LAN stands for Local Area Network.
WAN consist of several LANs and uses layer three
Samantha Walker
Jul 07, 2017
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Comparison Chart

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Local Area Network
Wide Area Network

Definition

LAN is the local area network that covers the small geographical area. i.e. a network established in hospital building etc.
WAN is the wide area network that includes several LANs connected with each other. It is cover a wide geographical area such as cities, states, etc.

Includes

Small offices, organizations, schools, hospitals homes, etc.
Large wide areas such as cities, states, countries, continents, etc.

Communication Speed

LAN is very much fast, and normally it speeds ranges up to 1000 Mbps.
WANs possess less speed than LANs maximum up to 150 Mbps.

Data transfer rate

LANs have higher data transfer rate as compare to MANs and WANs.
WANs possess low data transfer rate as compare to LANs and MANs even.

Devices Used

In LANs, most of the times layer 2 and layer one devices are used which are switches and hubs respectively.
In WANs layer 3 (Network Layer) devices are used which includes routers, multilayer switches, ATM, etc.
Samantha Walker
Jul 07, 2017
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Cost

LANs are low in setup cost as compare to WANs. Maintenance cost is also low.
WANs are expensive regarding Setup and maintenance both.

Bandwidth

In LANs high bandwidth is present for communication.
In WANs low bandwidth is present for communication as compared to LANs.

Congestion

Less congestion
More congestion

Ownership

LANs are usually owned by a single person or are in possession of organization.
A WAN is not particularly own by a person or organization. The shares are divided among partners.
Harlon Moss
Jul 07, 2017

Examples

The network established in a school or office building is LAN.
The Internet itself is the best example of WAN.
Samantha Walker
Jul 07, 2017

LAN and WAN Definitions

Lan

A system that links together electronic office equipment, such as computers and printers, and forms a network within an office, building, or group of buildings
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Wan

A communications network that uses such devices as telephone lines, satellite dishes, or radio waves to span a larger geographic area than can be covered by a LAN.

Lan

A local area network; a network{3} connecting computers and word processors and other electronic office equipment within a small area, to create an inter-office system, typically within one building or one site of a corporation. Contrasted to WAN, a wide-area network.

Wan

Unnaturally pale, as from physical or emotional distress.

Lan

A local computer network for communication between computers; especially a network connecting computers and word processors and other electronic office equipment to create a communication system between offices

Wan

Suggestive or indicative of weariness, illness, or unhappiness; melancholy
A wan expression.

Wan

To become pale.

Wan

Pale, sickly-looking.

Wan

Dim, faint.

Wan

Bland, uninterested.
A wan expression

Wan

The quality of being wan; wanness.

Wan

Pronunciation spelling of one

Wan

(Ireland) A girl or woman.

Wan

(obsolete) win.

Wan

Won.

Wan

Having a pale or sickly hue; languid of look; pale; pallid.
My color . . . [is] wan and of a leaden hue.
Why so pale and wan, fond lover?
With the wan moon overhead.

Wan

The quality of being wan; wanness.
Tinged with wan from lack of sleep.

Wan

To grow wan; to become pale or sickly in looks.
And ever he mutter'd and madden'd, and ever wann'd with despair.

Wan

A computer network that spans a wider area than does a local area network

Wan

Become pale and sickly

Wan

(of light) lacking in intensity or brightness; dim or feeble;
The pale light of a half moon
A pale sun
The late afternoon light coming through the el tracks fell in pale oblongs on the street
A pallid sky
The pale (or wan) stars
The wan light of dawn

Wan

Abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress;
The pallid face of the invalid
Her wan face suddenly flushed

Wan

Lacking vitality as from weariness or illness or unhappiness;
A wan smile

What is LAN?

LAN stands for Local Area Network. It is the common sort of network established inside a building or local area. It covers the small geographical area. LANs are found mostly inside an office building, in an organization, in a school or a hospital. LAN is the most common sort of communication network that is established in a small geographical area. The computers or nodes inside a LAN can be directly attached to each other using a single LAN cable or can be attached to common network devices. Layer 1 and Layer 2 devices are commonly used inside the LAN for establishing the connection. These layers refer towards the universally accepted seven-layered OSI model that is established as network architecture and depicts the end to end communication in detail. Commonly used layer 1 and layer two devices in a LAN are the hub and switch respectively. Bridge and other various devices are also used for this purpose. LAN possess extremely high-speed communication. The data transfer rate in a LAN can reach up to 1000 Mbps. LANs are easy to setup and are cheap in setup and maintenance both. A single person can own LAN, or it can be in possession of a particular organization inside which the LAN network is established.

What is WAN?

WAN stands for Wide Area Network. A WAN is established by connecting multiple LANs together. We can also say that a WAN consist of several LANs connected with each other. As the name of the network states its kind, it the kind of network that is used for covering the large geographical area. A WAN can cover cities, states, countries, continents and even the whole world. The Internet is the most common example of a WAN network that covers the whole world. LANs inside a WAN network are connected via layer three devices. Layer 3 is referred as the Network layer in the standard 7 Layer OSI model. The most commonly used network layer or layer three devices are routers and multilayer switches. Communication in a WAN network is slower as compared to LAN and ranges maximum up to 150 Mbps. It is quite complex and costly to set up a WAN. Maintenance of a WAN is also costly as compared to LAN. WAN communication suffers more congestion than the LAN.

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