Computer Networks - Differences Table

1. LAN vs MAN vs WAN

Feature LAN MAN WAN

Full Form Local Area Network Metropolitan Area Network Wide Area Network

Coverage Area Small (e.g., office) Medium (e.g., city) Large (e.g., country)

Ownership Private Government or private Public or leased

Speed High (100 Mbps - 1 Gbps) Moderate Lower

Example Home Wi-Fi City cable network Internet

2. Client-Server vs Peer-to-Peer Network

Feature Client-Server Peer-to-Peer

Control Centralized Decentralized

Server Required Not required

Scalability High Limited

Maintenance Easy Difficult

Example Web servers BitTorrent

3. Router vs Switch

Feature Router Switch

Layer Network Layer (Layer 3) Data Link Layer (Layer 2)

Address Used IP Address MAC Address

Function Routes between networks Connects within LAN

Example LAN to Internet LAN devices

4. Star vs Bus Topology

Feature Star Topology Bus Topology

Structure Central hub Single cable

Failure Impact Hub failure = network down Cable fault = full network down

Cable Requirement More cables Fewer cables

Performance High Low

5. Ring vs Mesh Topology

Feature Ring Topology Mesh Topology

Structure Circular Fully connected

Redundancy Low High

Failure Handling Single failure disrupts Fault-tolerant

Cost Low High

6. Bridge vs Gateway vs Access Point

Feature Bridge Gateway Access Point

Function Connect similar LANs Connect different networks Wireless access to LAN

OSI Layer Data Link All Layers Data Link

Example Ethernet bridge LAN to Internet Wi-Fi router

Protocol Conversion No Yes No