What differentiates a WAN from a metropolitan or local network?

The distinguishing factor for differentiating a Wide Area Network (WAN) from metropolitan and local networks lies in the geographical boundaries it covers. WANs span large geographical areas, often connecting networks across cities, countries, or even continents. This capability enables WANs to facilitate communication and data transfer over significant distances, making them essential for large organizations with multiple locations.

In contrast, metropolitan area networks (MANs) typically cover a city or large campus, and local area networks (LANs) are designed for smaller areas such as a single building or a home. While bandwidth capacity, equipment type, and speed of data transmission can vary between these networks, it is the geographical scope that fundamentally defines them. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for network design and implementation, as it dictates the technology and methodology used for connecting network nodes.