MAN

Definition:
A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a network that spans a larger geographic area than a Local Area Network (LAN) but is smaller than a Wide Area Network (WAN). It typically covers a city or a large campus, enabling the connection of multiple buildings or locations within that area.

Key Features:

1. Geographic Coverage: MANs usually cover a city or metropolitan area, ranging from several kilometers to up to 100 kilometers.
2. High-Speed Data Transfer: MANs offer faster data transfer speeds than WANs, suitable for large-scale data communication within cities.
3. Connectivity: MANs connect multiple LANs, making them ideal for businesses, educational institutions, or government organizations with multiple offices or campuses within the same city.

Core Components:

• Routers and Switches: Used to route and manage data traffic across the network.
• Fiber Optic Cables: Often used to provide high-speed data transmission over longer distances within the city.
• Internet Backbone: MANs are often connected to the internet, allowing users to access external networks.

Uses:

• Connecting various branches or offices of a business within a city.
• Providing high-speed internet access to large communities or public facilities.
• Facilitating communication between universities, government buildings, or data centers within a city.

Example:
A university with multiple campuses in a city can use a MAN to connect them, enabling fast data exchange and resource sharing between the campuses.

Summary:
A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a network that covers a larger area than a LAN, typically a city or metropolitan region, providing high-speed connectivity and data sharing between multiple locations within that area.