This key facts covers Quick Reference - LAN vs WAN 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 10 of 11 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Quick Reference - LAN vs WAN
LAN - Local Area Network:
- Coverage: Small area (single building/campus)
- Owner: Private (one organization)
- Speed: Very fast (1-10 Gbps)
- Cost: Low (one-time hardware)
- Infrastructure: Ethernet, WiFi, switches (owned)
- Example: School network, home WiFi
WAN - Wide Area Network:
- Coverage: Large area (cities/countries/global)
- Owner: Third-party telecoms providers
- Speed: Slower (10-1000 Mbps)
- Cost: High (monthly rental fees)
- Infrastructure: Fiber, satellite, phone lines (rented)
- Example: The Internet, corporate WAN
The Golden Rule:
LAN = Small, fast, privately owned. WAN = Large, slower, third-party infrastructure. Always mention BOTH size AND ownership!
Practice questions for LAN and WAN
What does LAN stand for?
State three differences between a LAN and a WAN. [3 marks]