A Local Area Network or LAN is a collection of connected devices in a particular physical location, such as a home or an office. A LAN can be small or large, ranging from a home network with one user to an extended enterprise network with thousands of users and devices. A LAN may include both wired and wireless devices to get connectivity.
Regardless of the size and number of user devices, a LAN’s particular characteristic is connecting devices in an isolated and limited area.
Unlike a LAN, a WAN spreads over a big terrestrial area and joins individual users or multiple LANs. The Internet is usually considered a WAN. Large organizations use WANs to connect their countless sites, distant employees, dealers, contractors, and data centers so they can run applications and admission necessary data. Leased lines, cellular connections, satellite links, and other means can accomplish physical connectivity in WANs.
A unique network built for a large organization, characteristically called an enterprise, needs to fulfill exacting requirements. Since networking is crucial for any modern firm or organization to work and function, enterprise networks must be highly available, mountable, and healthy. These networks have tools that enable network engineers and operators to design, deploy, debug, and remediate them. An enterprise may use LANs and WANs within its campus, branches, and data centers.
Service providers function as WANs to deliver connectivity to separate users or establishments. They may offer simple connectivity in the form of leased lines or more-advanced, managed services to enterprises. Service providers also supply Internet and cellular connectivity to their customers.