Understanding Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Author: Danu Aji

Understanding Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a network that is wider than the Local Area Network (LAN). The area used in the MAN network is in a country. In this case, a computer network connects several Local Area Network (LAN) networks into a larger area environment. Multiple Local Area Netwrok (LAN) into one network can also be called Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) can be found on one campus or in a rather large area (can also be a city). Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN) are usually not owned by only one organization. Just like a Local Area Network (LAN), the Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) also has wireless with relatively similar advantages and disadvantages. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is also able to support text and voice data, and can even be connected to cable television networks or radio waves.

A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a computer network that usually covers a large city or campus. MAN usually interconnects a number of local area networks (LANs) using high capacity backbone technology, such as fiber-optic links, and provides up-link services for wide area networks (or WANs) and the Internet. The scope of this MAN is between 10 to 50 km, this MAN is the right network to build a network between offices in one city between factories / agencies and head office within its reach.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a computer network in a city with high-speed data transfer, which connects various locations such as campus, offices, government, and so forth. MAN network is a combination of several LANs. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is basically a version of a LAN that is larger and usually uses the same technology as a LAN. MAN is an option for building computer networks between offices in a city.

MAN is usually able to support data and voice, and can even be connected with cable television networks. MAN only has one or two cables and does not have a switching element, which serves to manage the packet through several cable outputs. The existence of switching elements makes the design simpler.

The IEEE 802-2002 standard describes MAN as:

"MAN is optimized for larger geographic areas of the LAN, starting from several building blocks for the entire city. MAN can also depend on moderate-to-high-speed data communication channels. MAN may be owned and operated by a single organization, but will usually be used by many individuals and organizations. MAN may also be owned and operated as a public utility. They will often provide facilities for internetworking local networks. "

Author Kenneth C. Laudon and Jane P. Laudon (2001) Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm 10th ed. defines a metropolitan area network as:

"A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a large computer network that covers a metropolitan area or campus. Geographical coverage that falls between WAN and LAN. MAN provides Internet connectivity for LANs in metropolitan areas, and connects them to wider area networks such as the Internet. "

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History of the Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

In the 1940s in America there was a study that wanted to use a computer device together. In the 1950s when the type of computer began to grow until the creation of a super computer, because of the high price of computer equipment, there was a demand that a computer must serve several terminals.

From this, the concept of time-based process distribution emerged, known as the TSS (Time Sharing System), the first form of computer networking applied. In TSS systems several terminals are connected in series to a host computer.

  • Furthermore, this concept developed into a distribution process (Distributed Processing). In this process several host computers do a big job in parallel to serve several terminals that are connected in series in each host computer.
  • When the prices of small computers have begun to decline and the concept of the distribution process has matured, the use of computers and networks has begun to vary from beginning to handle shared processes and communication between computers (Peer to Peer System) alone without going through the central computer. For this reason, network technology such as LAN, MAN and WAN began to develop
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) Implementation

Some of the technologies used for this purpose are Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), FDDI, and SMDS. This technology is in the process of being replaced by Ethernet-based connections (for example, Metro Ethernet) in most areas. MAN connections between local area networks have been built without cables using either a microwave, radio, or infra-red laser link. Most companies rent or lease circuits from general operators due to the fact that laying long cables that stretch is expensive.

DQDB, Distributed-queue dual bus, is a standard metropolitan area network for data communication. This is specified in the IEEE 802.6 standard. Using DQDB, the network can be up to 20 miles (30 km) and operate at speeds of 34-155 Mbit / s.

Some well-known networks started as MANs, such as MAE-West, MAE-East Internet peering points, and Sohonet network media.

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Strengths and Weaknesses of MAN NetworksAdvantages of MAN Networks
  1. Data and information exchange can be faster and more accurate.
  2. Development in the area of??science for a college or schools.
  3. Communication between colleges or schools or employees in an office can be by e-mail or chat.
  4. The process of data backup from various places is easier and faster.
  5. Can create a means of discussion for colleges or schools.
  6. Can be used as a tool to unite the solidarity of employees or students and students.
  7. Can be used as a means of promotion that is appropriate and fast.
  8. Can use application programs or games together.
  9. The coverage of the network area is wider than the LAN network
Lack of MAN Network
  1. Relatively large operational costs
  2. The maintenance costs are fairly expensive
  3. Crackers often target for personal gain
  4. To repair a MAN network requires quite a long time
MAN Network Losses
  1. High operational costs.
  2. Installing the infrastructure is not easy.
  3. Complicated if there is network trouble (network trouble shooting).
  4. To repair a MAN network requires quite a long time.
  5. Can be the target of operations by Crackers for personal gain
Function and Purpose of MAN
  • Building & implementing a network system that collaborates between servers to meet the internal needs of companies and governments in communicating the network used so that they can carry out activities such as chat, messenger, video and others with local bandwidth.
  • Types of Computer Networks MAN is commonly used to connect computer networks from one city to another. To be able to create a MAN network, telecommunications operators are usually required to connect between computer networks
  • The MAN Computer Network includes the wider network coverage area so that communication becomes more efficient, makes it easier to do business, and also security in the network becomes better
  • Able to support text and voice data, and can even be associated with cable television networks or radio waves
  • To connect computer networks from one city to anoth
Technology That Used MAN
  • Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

An international standard for cell relays where multiple types of service (such as digital voice / video, or data) are delivered in fixed length (53-byte) cells. Fixed-length cells allow cell processes to take place in hardware, thereby reducing ATM delays designed for high-speed media transmissions such as E3, SONET, and T3. ATM differs in a number of ways from other more common data link technologies such as Ethernet.

  • Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)

Is a protocol that uses a double optical fiber loop topology called the primary circle and secondary circle. Both of these circles can be used for data transmission but only the primary circle is usually used as the main network. The secondary circle only works if the primary circle is damaged.

  • Switched Multi-megabit Data Service (SMDS)

Is a connectionless service used to connect LANs, MANs and WANs for data exchange. In the early 1990s, in Europe this service was known as Broadband Connectionless Broadband Data Service (CBDS). The purpose of connectionless is that there is no need to manage connections over the network before sending data.

Characteristics of MAN
  1. Covers an area of??between 5 and 50 km range. Many MANs cover urban areas.
  2. A MAN (like WAN) is generally not owned by one organization. MAN, its communication links and equipment, are generally owned by either a consortium of users or by a network service provider that sells services to users.
  3. MAN often acts as a high-speed network to allow sharing of regional resources. It is also often used to provide shared connections to other networks using links to WANs.
  4. MAN is larger and usually uses the same technology as a LAN.
  5. It only has one or two cables and has no switching element, which functions to manage packets through several cable outputs. The existence of switching elements makes the design simpler.

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