What is the difference between a LAN, a MAN, and a WAN?

A LAN (local area network) is a group of computers and network devices connected together, usually within the same building. By definition, the connections must be high speed and relatively inexpensive (e.g., token ring or Ethernet). Most Indiana University Bloomington departments are on LANs.
A LAN connection is a high-speed connection to a LAN. On the IUB campus, most connections are either Ethernet (10 Mbps) or Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps), and a few locations have Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps) connections.
A MAN (metropolitan area network) is a larger network that usually spans several buildings in the same city or town. The IUB network is an example of a MAN.
A WAN (wide area network), in comparison to a MAN, is not restricted to a geographical location, although it might be confined within the bounds of a state or country. A WAN connects several LANs, and may be limited to an enterprise (a corporation or an organization) or accessible to the public. The technology is high speed and relatively expensive. The Internet is an example of a worldwide public WAN.

Types of networks
There are three basic types of networks

LAN

• Local Area Network
• A network on one site such as a school or building
• The physical arrangement of the devices on a LAN is called the topology

WAN

• Wide Area Network
• A collection of LANs
• Connects a series of networks or servers over much larger distance, such as the internet

MAN

• Metropolitian Area Network 
• Typically no longer used as businesses can create their own LANs via an intranet over a WAN.

VPN

• Virtual Private Network
• A highly encrypted LAN that may operate over a WAN

PAN

• Personal Area Network
• Typically a connection of devices between one person
• Bluetooth is the most common connection type

LAN AND WAN NETWORK

LAN MAN&WAN NETWORK