Main Differences Between LAN and WAN

A blog article about the difference between LAN and WAN. Explanation of terms, outlining the primary differences between them.

What is a LAN?

A LAN is a small, closed network where devices are physically close to each other. It can be a single building or campus or span several buildings or campuses. 

LANs are a great way to connect multiple devices in one area without having too many expensive cables. For example, if you have an office with 20 computers and want them all connected through the same network connection, LAN is perfect.

What is a WAN?

A WAN is a network that links offices or remote sites. B2B and B2C apps are standard on WANs. WAN is a virtual computer network that expands over a considerable geographical area covering countries. 

WAN is significantly more extensive than LAN or MAN and fairly more costly. One business can’t own a WAN because of its price and complicated setup. Therefore, a WAN network is suitable for high-end telecommunication circuits. The best representative of a WAN is the Internet itself. 

Difference Between LAN and WAN

LANs typically stand close to each other, while a WAN can connect widely dispersed offices. Locals usually use a dedicated physical cable for communication, while WANs use various wireless and satellite communications forms.

LANs have several advantages over WANs: 

-A LAN is faster and more reliable than a WAN because devices are physically close to each other.

-A LAN is easier to control and work with than a WAN. That’s because the central method of configuration within devices.

-A LAN has lower latency than a WAN because data travels through the network at the speed of light.

-A LAN is more affordable to operate with than a WAN.

Expansion

LAN connection means that the computers and devices are all located in the same room or area. In comparison, WAN covers a wide area network. This means that the computers and devices are located in different rooms, offices, or even countries. 

Safety

The most significant difference is that a LAN can be more secure because all computers are physically close. On the other hand, WANs are more vulnerable to cyber-attacks because they are not connected directly. 

Costs

Additionally, a LAN can be more cost-effective because all computers are owned by one person or company. A WAN, on the other hand, can be more pricey because it allows companies to distribute their computing power across a wider geographical area.

How do you decide between LAN and WAN for your company’s needs?

It’s unclear to many individuals how a LAN differs from a WAN. Both networks have their advantages and drawbacks, so it’s essential to understand what each is good for before deciding. 

Here’s a quick overview about difference between lan and wan:

LANs are typically used within a single organization, whereas WANs can be used between organizations or several LAN servers. However, LANs can be more cost-effective if your needs only include transmitting large files locally. 

So which technology should you use? That depends on your specific needs. If your goal is to save money on bandwidth costs, a LAN might be better.

Conclusion

There are two main webs globally, the LAN and WAN. The complicated Internet web is a typical WAN! LANs are typically found in offices and homes, while WANs are more commonly used for online communication.  The main difference is that a LAN operates within a specific vicinity. WAN allows for connections from anywhere on Earth.