Final answer:
A Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) are all types of networks that differ in scope and area covered, designed to connect computers and devices for communication over varying distances.
Step-by-step explanation:
Each of the options provided are types of network, and they differ primarily in geographical scope and size:
- Local Area Network (LAN) - A LAN is a network that is typically confined to a single building or campus, providing high-speed connectivity and communication between computers and devices within a limited area.
- Wide Area Network (WAN) - A WAN spans a large geographic area, which can be as extensive as across cities, states, or even countries, connecting smaller networks like LANs and MANs over long distances using various telecommunications methods.
- Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) - A MAN is a network designed to extend over an entire city or metropolitan area, providing connectivity within that region which could be operated by a single organization or by multiple entities and service providers.
Each serves different networking needs but fundamentally, they allow multiple devices to communicate with each other whether they are in the same room, different cities, or across continents.