This deep dive covers Deep Dive: Why Network Types Matter within LAN and WAN for GCSE Computer Science. Revise LAN and WAN in 3.5 Fundamentals of Computer Networks for GCSE Computer Science with 18 exam-style questions and 16 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 3 of 11 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Deep Dive: Why Network Types Matter
Networks are classified by their geographical spread. Understanding LAN vs WAN is crucial because:
- Different costs: LANs use your own cables/WiFi (one-time cost). WANs use telecoms infrastructure (ongoing monthly fees)
- Different speeds: LANs can be 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps). WANs typically 10-100 Mbps (limited by distance and infrastructure)
- Different ownership: You control your LAN (security, upgrades). You rely on third parties for WANs
- Different reliability: LANs have minimal latency. WANs can have delays, packet loss, congestion
The key principle: As networks grow larger, they get slower, more expensive, and more complex to manage. But they also connect more devices and span greater distances!
Practice questions for LAN and WAN
What does LAN stand for?
State three differences between a LAN and a WAN. [3 marks]