This comparison covers LAN vs WAN - Direct Comparison 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 6 of 11 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
LAN vs WAN - Direct Comparison
| Aspect | LAN (Local Area Network) | WAN (Wide Area Network) |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic Spread | Small - single building or campus (up to ~1km) | Large - cities, countries, continents (unlimited) |
| Ownership | Privately owned by organization/individual | Uses third-party telecoms infrastructure |
| Setup Cost | Moderate - one-time hardware purchase | High - ongoing rental/subscription fees |
| Running Costs | Low - just maintenance and electricity | High - monthly fees to telecoms providers |
| Speed | Very fast (100 Mbps - 10 Gbps typical) | Slower (10-1000 Mbps, limited by distance) |
| Latency | Very low (< 1ms) - short cable runs | Higher (10-100ms+) - long distances |
| Reliability | Very reliable - controlled environment | Less reliable - depends on third-party infrastructure |
| Infrastructure | Ethernet cables, WiFi, switches owned by you | Fiber, satellite, phone lines owned by telecoms |
| Maintenance | You maintain and control it | Telecoms company maintains it |
| Security | More secure - physical access control | Less secure - shared infrastructure |
| Example | School network, home WiFi, office network | The Internet, corporate multi-site network |
Practice questions for LAN and WAN
What does LAN stand for?
State three differences between a LAN and a WAN. [3 marks]