What is LAN
LAN or local area network is a network of computers and other network devices within a room, building, school, or any residence. LAN cover a smaller area. In LAN we can share the same internet connection to all the computers and mobile devices.
What is WAN
WAN or wide area network is a network of computers and network devices that are placed at larger distances. WAN covers a large geographical area.
LAN vs WAN
| LAN | WAN |
|---|---|
| LAN stands for local area network | WAN stands for wide area network |
| LAN has a high network speed i.e. up to 1000 Mbps | WAN has a low network speed i.e. up to 150 Mbps |
| Establishing LAN is easy | Establishing WAN is difficult |
| Maintenance of LAN is easy | Maintenance of WAN is difficult |
| The propagation delay is low on LAN | The propagation delay is high in WAN |
| Fault tolerance is high in LAN | Fault tolerance is low in WAN |
| UTP or coaxial cable is used as a transmission medium | Satellite link or PSTN is used as transmission medium |
| Congestion in LAN is less | Congestion in WAN is high |
| LAN is famous for broadcasting | WAN is famous for point to point |
| LAN is cheaper than WAN | WAN is costly than LAN |
| LAN is owned by one person or by private company | WAN is owned by the private or public companies |
| Token and ethernet are used as network technologies in LAN | X.25 and frame relay are used as connectivity technologies in WAN |
| Components of LAN are hubs, switches, bridges and repeaters | Components of WAN are multi-layer switches, routers, ATMs etc. |
| LAN has few blockages | WAN has high blockages |
| An example of LAN is a network connection made in a home, office or small building | An example of WAN is the internet and a network connection between countries. |