DATA COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES Metropolitan Area Networks MANs Metropolitan

DATA COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES : Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)

Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) MANs are networks between a LAN and WAN. They are a type of interconnecting networks for big businesses in a metropolitan area. Usually, they have interconnecting (switching) devices instead of user desktop computers as their nodes, but it is possible to have user computers directly attached to a MAN. One way to differentiate among LANs, WANs and MANs is the way transmission resources are accessed. Typically, LANs have uncontrolled shared medium, MANs are controlled shared medium access, and WANs have address-based, switched medium access through a separate network. There are other types of networks in this classification. More recently, the term personal area networks (PANs) has got a legitimacy in networking literature due to the fact that they can be distinguished from other three types. PANs are networks interconnecting the devices of personal use that could, in general, be carries around. Examples of such devices are personal digital assistant (PDA), various wireless phones, remote control, etc. Usually, the design of these networks entails replacing the wire only, as they aren't expected to be interconnected via WANs and MANs in near future.

REFERENCES • Ahmad A. - Data Communication Principles. For Fixed and Wireless Networks • Cornelius T. Leondes - Database and Data Communication Network Systems, Three-Volume Set_. . -Academic Press