CLASSIFICATION OF NETWORK

CRITERIA	LAN (LOCAL AREA NETWORK)	WAN (WIDE AREA NETWORK)	MAN (METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK)
AREA OF COVERAGE	Network cover limited geographical area such as closely positioned group of buildings network , network at home, network inside computer laboratory and network in office building  .	A high speed network that connects Local Area Networks in a Metropolitan Area such as a  cities or town.	Network cover large geographical  area  such a countries ,the  continents or the world
NETWORK SIZE	Small size ( in a building)	Larger size ( in a cities or campus)	Largest size (different states or countries)
SPEED	Fastest in data transferring and access time	Slower in data transferring and access time	Slowest  in data transferring and access time
COMMUNICATION DEVICES	Connected using modems, hubs, switch , router	- Connected using modems, hubs, switch , router	The connection is made via satellite communication link or via internet
COST	Less costly setup and maintenance	More costly setup and maintenance	Costliest setup and maintenance
NETWORK OWNERSHIP	Private – owned, controlled and manage by a single person or organization	Private - owned and operated by a single entity such as a government or large corporation	Not owned up any one organization but exist under collective or distributed ownership