Metropolitan Area Network
A MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network. A metropolitan area network is a computer network that links computers within a metropolitan region, which can be any large area with a number of buildings or just one large city.
It offers fast data transfer between various LANs (Local Area Networks) and WANs (Wide Area Networks), including audio, video, and data transport. Connecting various LANs in a city to share resources and exchange data is the primary function of a MAN.
Compared to a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN) is smaller than a LAN. MANs are not required to be found in urban areas; the word "metropolitan" refers to the network's size rather than the population it serves.
Importance of Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
MAN is important in many ways, and these are:
- Due to their extremely low error rate, MAN networks offer excellent reliability.
- To connect to various devices and networks, a MAN network can make use of a range of access technologies, including wireless, fiber-optic, and copper-based connections.
- Data rates in MAN range from moderate to high.
- Based on the particular needs of the network, a MAN network may combine several topologies, such as a ring, bus, or star architecture.
- It may transmit from a collection of buildings to the entire city, reaching a region that ranges from 5 to 50 km.
Advantages of Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
- MAN can provide the same high-speed internet to numerous customers simultaneously.
- Due to the two-way bus architecture, it supports simultaneous data transmission in both directions.
- High-speed connectivity with a speed range of 10–100 Mbps is provided by MAN.
- It is simpler to monitor and manage network resources and security when MAN is used since it enables centralized management and control of the network.
Disadvantages of Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
- The huge setup costs of fiber optics are the reason this network is so expensive.
- When compared to LANs, the data transfer rate in MAN is lower.
- Because of its complex architecture, MAN is challenging to create and maintain.
- Less fault tolerance is offered.
