| Columbia University
Information Technology Computer Networks |
Local Area NetworkA data network intended to serve an area of only a few square kilometers or less. Because the network is known to cover only a small area, optimizations can be made in the network signal protocols that permit data rates in the 10-megabyte-per-second to 100-megabytes-per-second range today. Wide-area communication is accomplished by connecting LANs together via metropolitan area networks (MANs) or wide-area networks (WANs). Both Ethernet and FDDI are local area networks.Meteropolitan Area NetworkA data network intended to serve an area approximating that of a large city. Such networks are being implemented by innovative techniques such as running fiber cables through subway tunnels. |