LAN vs WAN: The Benefits of Each Network Type - Packetworks
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`LAN vs WAN - The Benefits Of Each Network Type
`Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs) have much in
`common, but the differences are enough to make them two separate
`acronyms in speech and in practice. Each one has its benefits and downsides,
`and these advantages and disadvantages can affect an organization’s
`productivity significantly. So what exactly is the difference between a LAN
`connection and a WAN connection?
`
`Local Area Networks (LANs)
`
`Advantages
`
`Disadvantages
`
`Speed
`Cost
`Ease of Setup
`
`Limited to
`Small Area
`
`LAN connections can only operate in a local area which is usually not any
`bigger then a house, or a floor in an office building. Typically a LAN will consist
`of only a handful of clients, but can have upwards of a hundred.
`One of the major advantages with LANs are the speeds they can reach. With a
`LAN, it isn’t uncommon to see technology ready for 1Gbps (1 gigabit per
`second). Example: If you were to download all 3 816 000 English articles off
`of Wikipedia it would take just over 13 hours to do so, where as a WAN would
`take 16 days to do the same. A LAN can operate up to 30x faster then a WAN
`Another advantage to having a LAN connection is the cost. It is relatively
`cheap to have as it tends to require less hassle to set up and less advanced
`infrastructure to keep it running. This is mainly due to the technological components of a LAN, which brings me to the
`next difference.
`A LAN connection tends to require some relatively simple things to set it up. All you need is some Ethernet cables, a
`network switch, and you are good to go. Alternatively, you can also see LANs being done over Wi-Fi, or you can use Wi-
`Fi in conjunction with standard Ethernet connections to create a LAN available to all kinds of devices, whether it be a
`smartphone or a desktop computer.
`The major disadvantage with a LAN is inherent in its name. “Local” Area Networks are only good as far as you can reach
`an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi signal. Simply put, you cannot buy an Ethernet cable that will reach throughout an entire
`building, and a Wi-Fi connection rapidly deteiorates as you get further then a few dozen meters away.
`
`Wide Area Networks (WANs)
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`http://packetworks.net/lan-vs-wan-the-benefits-of-each-network-type/[7/20/2017 7:17:46 AM]
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`LAN vs WAN: The Benefits of Each Network Type - Packetworks
`
`Advantages
`
`Disadvantages
`
`Cost
`Speed
`Ease of Use
`
`Allow for
`much larger
`and more
`intricate
`network
`Can cover
`near infinite
`geographical
`distance
`
`A WAN connection should truly only occur in large environments. WAN connections are available from house to house,
`city to city, and country to country. In fact, just by reading this you know you have access to a very popular WAN, the
`Internet. But what separates a WAN like the internet from a LAN?
`Due to it's typically massive size, WAN's are almost always slower then a LAN. The further the distance, the slower the
`network.
`One of the big disadvantages to having a WAN is the cost it can incur. Having a private WAN can be expensive. The
`reason that WANs cost a lot tends to be because of the technology required to connect two remote places, which brings
`me to the explanation of the technology behind a WAN.
`A WAN connection is generally harder to set up, and there are many creative ways to do so. One very common way is
`renting a line from an internet service provider and using their network (that’s already connecting the nation and the
`world) and connecting your point A and B. Another way to do a WAN is connecting the devices with various wireless
`technologies, like cellphone towers or satellites. As you can imagine, all these are much harder to create than setting up
`a LAN and almost always demand high level professional setup and maintenance.
`
`Trust Packetworks
`Advanced networks can have LANs within LANs, LANs within WANs, WANs within WANs, and those can have their own
`sub networks, and those their own, and those their own. Let the professionals at Packetworks take over your next
`Networking project, to ensure it is down efficiently and effectively. A fast network allows for rapid transit of information,
`which leads to increased productivity, and increased customer satisfaction.
`
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`LAN vs WAN: The Benefits of Each Network Type - Packetworks
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