Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a computer network spanning a town, city, or metropolitan area, connecting Local Area Networks (LANs) for the purpose of exchanging resources and data. Theoretically, a single LAN could span the entire city, connecting computers and other devices in a single network, however, the larger the network gets the more difficult it is to manage, so it is usually broken down into multiple LANs. Connecting multiple LANs in a MAN allows for efficient sharing of resources such as data storage, web access, application servers and printers.
Typically, a MAN is created with Ethernet-based technology and operates at one of three different transmission rates; 10 megabits per second (Mbps), 100Mbps or 1 gigabit per second (Gbps). MANs are most often used in larger businesses, universities, and other institutions which require the exchange of large volumes of data within a large geographic area.
The most common type of MAN is a ring topology, in which the data is sent back and forth between the LANs in a circular manner until it finds its final destination. The main advantages of using a ring topology are that it is easy to expand and maintain and that it is less likely to suffer from traffic congestion. However, it is less reliable than a mesh topology in which every LAN is connected to every other LAN, allowing for more direct access.
MANs allow for the efficient sharing of resources between multiple LANs, as they are able to spread the workload over multiple networks. This can lead to improved performance, as the data doesn’t have to go through a single LAN before reaching its destination. Additionally, it allows for the easy expansion of the network by simply adding LANs.
When setting up a MAN, careful consideration must be given to the size of the geographical area it will cover and ensuring the LANs are appropriately connected. It is also important to ensure that security protocols are correctly implemented. Additionally, it is important to consider the amount of bandwidth the network will require, as this will need to take into account both the current and anticipated future use of the network.
