comparison entre LAN et WAN
lan : local area network
wan : wide area network
| LAN | WAN | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition: | LAN (Local Area Network) is a computer network covering a small geographic area, like a home, office, schools, or group of buildings. |
WAN (Wide Area Network) is a computer network that covers a broad area (e.g., any network whose communications links cross metropolitan, regional, or national boundaries over a long distance |
| Speed: | high speed(1000mbps) | less speed(150mbps) |
| Data transfer rates: | LANs have a high data transfer rate | WANs have a lower data transfer rate as compared to LANs |
| Example: | Network in an organization can be a LAN |
Internet is a good example of a WAN |
| Technology: | Tend to use certain connectivity technologies, primarily Ethernet and Token Ring | WANs tend to use technology like MPLS, ATM, Frame Relay and X.25 for connectivity over the longer distances |
| Connection: | one LAN can be connected to other LANs over any distance via telephone lines and radio waves | Computers connected to a wide-area network are often connected through public networks, such as the telephone system. They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites |
| Components: | layer 2 devices like switches, bridges. layer1 devices like hubs , repeaters | Layers 3 devices Routers, Multi-layer Switches and Technology specific devices like ATM or Frame-relay Switches etc. |
| Fault Tolerance: | LANs tend to have fewer problems associated with them, as there are a smaller amount of systems to deal with. | WANs tend to be less fault tolerant. as it consists of a large amount of systems there is a lower amount of fault tolerance. |
| Data Transmission Error: | Experiences fewer data transmission errors | Experiences more data transmission errors as compared to LAN |
| Ownership: | Typically owned, controlled, and managed by a single person or organization | WANs (like the Internet) are not owned by any one organization but rather exist under collective or distributed ownership and management over long distances |
| Set-up costs: | If there is a need to set-up a couple of extra devices on the network, it is not very expensive to do that | In this case since networks in remote areas have to be connected hence the set-up costs are higher. However WANs using public networks can be setup very cheaply, just software (VPN etc) |
| Maintenance costs: | Because it covers a relatively small geographical area, LAN is easier to maintain at relatively low costs. | Maintaining WAN is difficult because of its wider geographical coverage and higher maintenance costs. |
| Geographical Spread: | Have a small geographical range and do not need any leased telecommunication lines | Have a large geographical range generally spreading across boundaries and need leased telecommunication lines |
| Bandwidth: | High bandwidth is available for transmission. | Low bandwidth is available for transmission |
LAN/WAN
Local Area Network (LAN) :
A collection of computers and associated devices that share a common communications line or wireless link is known as a Local Area Network (LAN). In most situations, the connected computers and devices share the resources of a server or processor within a limited physical area (i.e. an office building). In most configurations, multiple computer users access the server to utilize applications, data storage, and file sharing.
Businesses typically use the LAN server to store common application programs which its users then download onto their assigned computer’s hard drive, or to allow shared access to printers and other devices or services. Users may share files with others at the LAN server, with read and write access granted by a LAN administrator. And if safeguards are in place to secure internal applications and data from outside access, a LAN server can be used as an organization’s Web server as wwll.
Depending on the circumstances, a wireless LAN may be chosen over a hard-wired LAN due to the decreased costs to install and maintain the wireless solution.
