Difference between LAN and WAN
LAN-: A Local Area Network (LAN) is a group of network devices that allow communication between connected devices. It covers the smallest area, such as a college, school, or hospital. LANs are privately owned . Some examples of LANs include a computer lab in a college.
WAN:- Wide Area Network (WAN) covers a larger area than LANs, such as a country or continent. WANs are usually expensive and may or may not be owned by one organization. They use PSTN or satellite medium for communication1. The internet is an example of a WAN.
| Local Area Network (LAN) | Wide Area Network (WAN) |
|---|---|
| LAN is a group of devices connected in a small geographic area, such as houses, offices, or buildings. | WAN is an arrangement of several devices attached over a network covering a broad area. A network having communication links crossing the regional, metropolitan, or national boundaries over a large distance is an example of WAN. |
| LAN’s are often owned and controlled by a single organization, such as a company, school, or home network. | WANs may involve multiple organizations, service providers, and can be more complex to manage due to their wide-reaching nature. |
| LAN covers a small geographical area, and it does not require any leased telecommunication lines. | WAN covers a large distance geographical area that usually crosses regional or metropolitan boundaries and requires leased telecommunication lines. |
| The configuration and maintenance is easy in LAN. | The configuration and maintenance is harder than LAN. |
| LAN provides a comparatively higher speed. | WAN has a slower speed as compared to LAN. |
| Transmission medium used in LAN is co-axial or UTP cable. | Whereas WAN uses PSTN or satellite link as a transmission or communication medium. |
| If there is a requirement to connect more devices in a LAN, it can be easily done. It will not cost much. | When it comes to WAN, the setup of additional devices will cost high because networks in remote areas must be connected. Besides, WANs using public networks are easy to set up and are not expensive. |
| LAN Examples -: Building Network, Office Network, Campus Network. | WAN Examples -: Internet, Corporate Wide Area Network, Cellular Network. |
