A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a network that covers a whole city or large areas. It connects several local networks, making it simple for them to share information. MANs use fast fiber optic cables or wireless connections to make data transfer quick and efficient.
MANs are important because they help connect businesses, service providers, and government offices across a city.
We explaing in this articles discuss about the MANs, covering their history, benefits, issues, uses, and challenges.
What Is MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)?
What exactly is a MAN network? Now, we discuss about the simple term of network that interlinks a number of LANs in a metropolitan area, allowing the sharing of resources and communication in an well organized manner.
It is larger than a LAN network but smaller than a WAN. A MAN usually provides high speed connectivity, around 10 and 100 Mbps, which is ideal like applications such as video conferencing, streaming of multimedia, and sharing of resources.
However, designing and supporting a MAN network may prove to be difficult because of its size and heavy infrastructure expenses.
History of MAN Network
In the early 1990s, LANs introduced to support data communication within buildings and offices.
At that time, businesses mainly depended on public switched telephone networks to connect different LANs.
However, telephone networks could not handle the growing amount of data traffic.
How Does MAN Network Work?
The purpose of a MAN is to create a communication link between independent LANs across a metropolitan area. MANs combine the characteristics of LAN and WAN to link physically separated LANs efficiently.
Also Read: 15 Advantages and Disadvantages of MAN Network (Metropolitan Area Network)
In a MAN, data makes typically transmission through optical fiber that links Routers and switches manage the flow of data between different ports. A switch is responsible for filtering data packets sent as frames.
A switch works by filtering data and controlling network connections.
Routers direct data by picking the paths it takes. Simply put, they decide how information travels. A MAN can cover up to 50 km.
Types of MAN Technologies
FDDI
Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) is a LAN data transfer standard that supports communication for thousands of users.
It uses optical fiber as its main infrastructure, which gives it its name.
SMDS
Switched multi-megabit data service allows data to move quickly through the network by sending it in packet. Each packet stores briefly and then sent ahead until it reaches the receiver.
Each data packet reaches its specific destination on its own.
ATM
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is widely using in MAN networks. It is a digital communication method that supports real-time data transmission.
In ATM, information gets division into fixed-size packets and sent regularly across the network.
Metropolitan Area Network Examples & Uses
Let’s explore some real-world examples to understand how MANs work.
Also Read: 10 Examples of WAN Network in Real World – Full Guide
City-wide Internet Service
Many cities offer public Wi-Fi in parks and major public areas, which works like a MAN and provides internet access across wide parts of the city.
University Campus Networks
Many universities have campuses spread across a city, and a MAN connects them to enable smooth communication and easy resource sharing for students, faculty, and staff.
Corporate Networks
MANs link the networks of organizations with multiple city offices, enabling smooth data sharing and efficient collaboration among employees.
Government Networks
Government departments with offices in different buildings across a city can use a MAN to communicate quickly and share data securely for their daily operations.
Healthcare Networks
Hospitals and healthcare centers across a city can be connecting using a MAN.
This allows easy sharing of patient records, real-time data for telemedicine, and access to specialized medical applications.
Transportation Systems
MANs connect major transport points across a city, helping with smooth data flow for ticketing, scheduling, and real-time updates for passengers
Emergency Services
A MAN allows police, fire, and ambulance teams to communicate quickly. So, they can act expertly in emergencies.
Banking and Finance
Banks and financial institutions across a city use MANs to connect their branches. This allows faster transactions, secure data sharing, and easy access to banking services for customers.
Entertainment and Media
A MAN supports high-bandwidth needs of the entertainment and media industry, such as content streaming, live broadcasts, and fast content delivery across a city.
Metropolitan area network range & speed
A MAN covers a city or large campus and connects many local networks over a distance of about 5 to 50 kilometers. It uses fast technologies like fiber optics to provide high-speed data transfer. MANs are used by organizations such as universities, businesses, and government offices.
MAN Network Function & Purpose
Building and setting up a network that connects servers, allowing businesses and government organizations to communicate and use services like chat, messaging, and video.
Also Read: Advantages and Disadvantages of WAN | Pros & Cons
There are different types of computer networks; but a MAN is most commonly using to connect networks across a city. Setting up a MAN requires telecom operators to link multiple networks over several kilometers.
A MAN makes communication faster, business operations smoother, and the network more secure.
MANs are mainly using to link computer networks from one city to another.
Metropolitan Area Network Features
Knowing the definition of a MAN should also include learning about its key functions.
MANs cover a larger area than LANs that design to connect devices; so they can communicate efficiently.
Commonly, MANs are using by large organizations that have multiple branches within the same city.
MANs can be also commonly using by educational institutions with multiple buildings within the same city.
It allows businesses and schools to transfer information in a fast, safe, and effective manner.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is Full Form of MAN Network?
MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network that lets to link several LAN networks across a city or region.
What is the Typical Coverage Area of MAN Network?
Generally, MANs span between 5 and 50 kilometers. For this reason, this network can be using to connect networks along with cities, towns, or large institutions.
How is a MAN Different from LAN and WAN?
LAN → Building or campus
MAN → City-wide network
WAN → Global network (Internet)
Who Owns and Manages MANs?
As their features, MAN networks are managing by ISPs, governments, and universities.
Is a MAN Wired or Wireless?
A MAN can be using wired lines, wireless links, or both together.
What Security Measures are Used in MANs?
MANs allow safe data using encryption, firewalls, VPNs, and monitoring systems.
Final Remarks
At the final, networks connect computers so they can work together. Without them, organizations would find it hard to work efficiently.
Also Read: Types of WAN Network with Examples – Full Guide
A MAN is able to serve enlarge population as compared LAN network. This is because; it allows connecting cities, towns, and large areas. But, MANs are an costly set up that often need several organizations to run them.
