Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a computer network that covers a city or metropolitan area. It is larger than a LAN (Local Area Network) but smaller than a WAN (Wide Area Network). MANs connect multiple LANs across a city, often using high‑speed fiber optic cables.
Key Characteristics
- Coverage: Spans a city or large urban area.
- Ownership: Usually managed by telecom providers, governments, or large organizations.
- Speed: High bandwidth (often hundreds of Mbps to Gbps).
- Infrastructure: Uses fiber optics, leased lines, or wireless links.
- Purpose: Provides connectivity between offices, campuses, or public institutions in a city.
Examples
- Citywide government networks: Linking municipal offices, police, and hospitals.
- University MANs: Connecting multiple campuses across a city.
- Cable TV networks: Delivering services across metropolitan regions.
- Metro Ethernet: Telecom companies offering Ethernet services across a city.
LAN vs MAN vs WAN
| Feature | LAN | MAN | WAN |
| Coverage | Building, campus | City or metropolitan area | Country, continent, global |
| Speed | Very high (100 Mbps–10 Gbps) | High (hundreds Mbps–Gbps) | Lower, depends on distance/infra |
| Ownership | Private (home, office) | Telecoms, governments, universities | Mix of private & public |
| Example | Home Wi‑Fi, office LAN | Citywide university network | The Internet, global corporate WAN |
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