Difference between local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN)

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Difference between local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN)

By Junaid RehmanPublished On: July 27, 2022

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. [...]

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.