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Management Information Systems

Notes 6.5.2 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is one of a number of types of networks. A MAN is a
relatively new class of network; it serves a role similar to an ISP, but for corporate users with
large LANs. It is a network that interconnects users with computer resources in a geographical
area larger than that covered by even a large local area network (LAN) but smaller than the area
covered by a wide area network (WAN). The term is applied to the interconnection of networks
in a city into a single larger network (which may then also offer efficient connection to a wide
area network). It is also used to mean the interconnection of several local area networks by
bridging them with backbone lines. This is sometimes referred to as a campus network. Large
universities also sometimes use the term to describe their networks. A recent trend is the
installation of wireless MANs. There are three important features which distinguish MANs
from LANs or WANs:
 The network size falls in between LANs and WANs. A MAN typically covers an area of
between 5 and 50 km diameter. Many MANs cover an area the size of a city, although in
some cases MANs may be as small as a group of buildings.
 A MAN, like a WAN, is not generally owned by a single organisation. The MAN, its
communications links and equipments are generally owned by either a group of users or
by a single network provider who sells the service to the users. This level of service
provided to each user must be negotiated with the MAN operator, and some performance
guarantees are normally specified.

 A MAN often acts as a high-speed network to allow sharing of regional resources (similar
to a large LAN). It is also frequently used to provide a shared connection to other networks
using a link to a WAN.

A typical use of MANs to provide shared access to a wide area network is shown in the Figure
6.13 below:

Figure 6.13: The Functioning of MAN

6.5.3 Wide Area Network (WAN)

WAN provides communication over long distances, covering a large geographical area and are
also called remote networks. It covers a large city or a metropolitan area. Such large networks
are becoming a necessity for carrying out the day to day activities of many businesses and
governmental organisations and their end users. They are used by manufacturing firms, retailers,
distributors, transportation companies, government agencies etc., and receive information across
cities, regions, countries, or the world. In most countries, this is a government monopoly. In
USA, it is Bell system companies, AT & T and other private companies. It can use regular

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