Wireless Network Concepts and Technologies (PAN, LAN

MAN and WAN)

Emerson Filho1, Lucas Guedes1, Tourão Quaresma1, Stefani Castro1
1
Instituto de Tecnologia – Universidade Federal do Pará(UFPA)
R. Augusto Corrêa, 01 - Guamá, Belém - PA, 66075-110
[email protected],[email protected],[email protected]
.br, [email protected]

Abstract. This article aims to provide a detailed analysis of computer

networks, focusing on the four main types: Local Area Networks (LAN),
Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), Personal Area Networks (PAN), and Wide
Area Networks (WAN). We will address their definitions, technical
characteristics, practical applications, and fundamental differences.
Additionally, we will explore the technological advancements driving these
networks and the emerging trends shaping the future of connectivity.

1. Introduction
Computer networks have played a significant role in the digital revolution, facilitating
communication and sharing of resources across the world. From the advent of the
Internet to local area networks in home and business environments, network
infrastructure plays a vital role in global connectivity. In this context, it is essential to
understand the different types of networks and their specific applications.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of four main types of computer
networks: Personal Area Networks (PAN), Local Area Networks (LAN), Metropolitan
Area Networks (MAN), and Wide Area Networks (WAN). We will explore their
definitions, distinguishing characteristics, applications, and the underlying technologies
that make them possible. Additionally, we will discuss the fundamental differences
between these types of networks and how they interconnect to form a cohesive and
efficient communications infrastructure.

2. PAN networks

A PAN (Local Area Network) is a computer network that covers a limited geographic
area, such as a building, a university campus, or a company. It is designed to allow
communication and sharing of resources between devices within this restricted area.
A local area network represents a network in its simplest form. The data transfer speed
of a local network can vary between 10 Mbps (for an ethernet network, for example)
and 100 Gbps (Gigabit Ethernet, for example). What becomes more important is that we
must understand that a LAN is a network restricted to one institution, to small locations,
and can reach up to 2, 100 or even 1000 users.
In the days before PCs, companies had only one central computer, the mainframe, with
users accessing it through terminals and using a simple low-speed cable. Networks such
as IBM's Systems Network Architecture (SNA) was focused on linking terminals or
other mainframes through dedicated connections. Some of these endpoints could be in
remote locations - which would give rise to WANs.
The first LANs were created in the late 1970s and were used to create high-speed links
between large central computers in a given location. Among the competing systems
created at this time, the most popular were Ethernet and ARCNET.

3. LAN networks
In the 1960s and 1970s, the advent of computers led to the emergence of local area
networks (LANs), designed to automate business processes. Ethernet, developed by
Xerox in the 1970s, was one of the first technologies to allow devices to be connected
within a limited geographic area, such as offices or college campuses.
LANs are primarily intended to facilitate communication and sharing of resources
between devices such as computers, printers and storage devices. This is accomplished
through the use of network cables, such as Ethernet, or wireless technologies, such as
Wi-Fi, controlled by central devices such as switches or hubs.
Network topologies such as bus and star play important roles in LANs. While a bus
network connects all devices to a single linear cable, a star network connects them to a
central point, facilitating communication between them.
Today, LANs continue to play a fundamental role in the information technology
infrastructure of homes, businesses, and organizations. With the growing adoption of
cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT) and digital services, LANs are essential for
connecting devices and enabling communication and sharing of resources.
Additionally, the rise of remote work and distance learning has further highlighted the
importance of local networks, both in home and corporate environments, to provide
secure and reliable connectivity.
Emerging technologies such as software-defined networking (SDN) and intent-defined
networking are being developed to improve the performance, security, and scalability of
LANs, preparing them for future demands.

4. MAN networks
MANs, Metropolitan Area Network, are networks designed to cover a larger geographic
area than local networks, however, with a coverage area limited to a metropolitan area,
such as a city, they are intermediate networks between local networks, LAN, to wide
networks, WAN, which can span countries or continents. Some characteristics of MAN
networks include:
- Coverage area, the coverage area of ​MANs are larger than LANs and can be used to
interconnect multiple LANs in different locations.
- Technology, MANs can use a variety of technologies for transmission, such as fiber
optics, digital radio or cable systems, allowing for high transmission rates and high
bandwidth capacity.
- Ownership, MANs can not only be owned by a single company, but can also be
operated by service providers or municipal authorities to ensure connectivity to multiple
users and organizations.
- Applications, They are suitable for offering services such as high-speed internet
access, television broadcasting and video on demand.
4.1 Benefits:
- By connecting LANs over a metropolitan area, MANs provide improved performance
and greater bandwidth compared to standard internet connections.
- Cost-efficiency, for organizations with multiple locations in a city, a MAN can offer a
more cost-effective network solution compared to renting dedicated lines for each
location.
4.2 Challenges:
- Implementation Cost, establishing a MAN can be expensive due to the cost of the
transmission means and necessary equipment.
- Maintenance and Management, a MAN requires constant maintenance and
management to ensure the security, reliability and performance of the network.
MAN networks represent a crucial component in the communication network hierarchy,
offering an efficient solution for connecting local networks across a wider geographic
area while providing access to high-speed network resources.

5. WAN networks

Wide Area Network or WAN is a long distance network. In other words, it is nothing
more than a way of connecting several local networks that are distant from each other,
enabling communication between them. It is called a wide area network because it goes
beyond the boundaries of a single building or a large campus to include multiple
locations spread across a specific geographic area or even the world. For example,
businesses with many international branch offices use a WAN to connect the office
networks. The largest WAN network in the world is the Internet, because it is a
collection of many international networks that connect to each other.

Wide area network (WAN) architectures are based on the Open Systems Interconnection
(OSI) model, which establishes concepts and standards for comprehensive coverage
across the telecommunications sector. This model, composed of seven layers, is
fundamental for understanding and organizing computer networks. Furthermore, a
number of common connection forms are employed in wide area networks:

5.1 Leased lines:

They consist of direct connections that can be rented from network providers such as
ISPs. They can connect two local area network (LAN) points. They are not necessarily
physical lines, and can be implemented virtually on other network infrastructure.

5.2 Tunneling:
Tunneling works by encapsulating packets: wrapping packets inside other packets.
(Packets are small pieces of data that can be reassembled at their destination into a
larger file).
Tunneling is often used in virtual private networks (VPNs). It can also establish efficient
and secure connections between networks, allow the use of unsupported network
protocols, and in some cases allow users to bypass firewalls.

5.3 Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS):

Multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) is a technique for speeding up network
connections that was first developed in the 1990s. The public internet works by
forwarding packets from one router to another until the packets reach their destination.
MLPS, on the other hand, sends packets over predetermined network paths. Ideally, the
result is that routers spend less time deciding where to forward each packet and packets
follow the same path every time.

5.4 Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN):

Evolution of MPLS technology, abstracting functions into a software layer.
It uses stable broadband Internet connections, which reduces network costs and offers
greater flexibility compared to fixed connections.

When comparing MPLS and SD-WAN:

○ MPLS can present challenges in cloud integration due to routing traffic through
corporate headquarters.
○ SD-WAN is more cloud-oriented and effectively integrates with modern cloud
infrastructures.
○ SD-WAN can be a cost-effective solution, working in conjunction with MPLS to
optimize bandwidth usage on expensive, leased lines.

After addressing the different forms of connections used in long-distance networks, it is

essential that we explore the specific protocols that guide the operation and
communication in these networks. WAN network protocols play a crucial role in
ensuring the efficiency, security and interoperability of systems in a distributed and
globalized environment. In this context, we will now analyze the main protocols used in
WAN networks and their impact on the structuring and operation of these networks:

5.5 Frame relay

Frame relay is a recent technology that packages data in frame format so that it is
transmitted from a private line to a Frame relay node. Frame relay works at layers 1 and
2. It facilitates the transfer of information from one LAN to another through various
switches and routers.

5.6 Asynchronous transfer mode

Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) is also a recent WAN technology that
formats data into 53-byte data cells. ATM network devices use time-division
multiplexing, which converts digital signals into cells of a fixed size, and transmits them
to reassemble everything at the destination.

5.7 Packet over SONET/SDH

 Packet over SONET/SDH (POS) is a communication protocol that defines how
point-to-point links establish communication with each other when using optical fiber.

5.8 TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) defines end-to-end
communication by specifying how data is packaged, addressed, transmitted, routed, and
received. IPv6 is the most recent version and the most used method today.

6. References

Cloudflare. (2024, 2 de abril). O que é uma WAN? Recuperado de

https://www.cloudflare.com/pt-br/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-wan/

TORRES, Gabriel. Redes de Computadores. Rio de Janeiro: Editora Nova Terra, 2014.
2ª edição.

M. Bortoloso, “Proposta de Metodologia para Projeto de Redes WAN Multimídia com

Suporte a Requisitos de Qualidade de Serviço”, Dissertação de Mestrado, Universidade
Federal do Espírito Santo, VITÓRIA, Ago, 2006.

A. Tanenbaum, “Redes de Computadores”, Ed.Campus, 4ª edição, Brasil, 2003.

S. Shepard, “Metro Area Networking”, McGraw-Hill Professional, 1ª Edition, ISBN:

0071399143, 2002.