Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN)

A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a network with a size greater than LAN but smaller than a WAN. It normally comprises networked interconnections within a city that also offers a connection to the Internet.

The distinguishing features of MAN are

• Network size generally ranges from 5 to 50 km. It may be as small as a group of buildings in a campus to as large as covering the whole city.
• Data rates are moderate to high.
• In general, a MAN is either owned by a user group or by a network provider who sells service to users, rather than a single organization as in LAN.
• It facilitates sharing of regional resources.
• They provide uplinks for connecting LANs to WANs and Internet.

Example of MAN

• Cable TV network
• Telephone networks providing high-speed DSL lines
• IEEE 802.16 or WiMAX, that provides high-speed broadband access with Internet connectivity to customer premises.