A local area network refers to a communication network that connects various computer equipment, external devices, and databases within a certain geographical area.

Less coverage

Higher transfer rate

Data transmission security is high

Lower equipment costs

Intranet

campus network

home network

Wide area network refers to a communication network that covers a wide range and can span cities, countries and even the world.

Larger coverage

lower transfer rate

Data transmission is less secure

Equipment cost is higher

internet

distance learning

Telemedicine

multinational enterprise network

LAN coverage is small, usually between a few hundred meters and a few kilometers

WAN has a large coverage area and can span cities, countries and even the world.

LAN transmission rate is high, usually between 10Mbps and 1000Mbps

WAN transmission rate is low, usually between tens of Kbps to several Mbps

LAN data transmission is highly secure and encryption technology is usually used for data transmission.

WAN data transmission has low security and is susceptible to hacker attacks and network failures.

LAN equipment costs less and is usually borne by businesses or households

WAN equipment costs are relatively high and are usually borne by telecom operators