Metropolitan area networks, or MANs, are large computer networks usually spanning a city. They typically use wireless infrastructure or Optical fiber connections to link their sites. A computer network is a system for communication among two or more computers. ... Optical fibers An optical fiber (or fibre) is a glass or plastic fiber designed to guide light along its length by confining as much light as possible in a propagating form. ...

The IEEE 802-2001 standard describes a MAN as being:

Some technologies used for this purpose are ATM, FDDI, and SMDS. These older technologies are in the process of being displaced by Ethernet-based MANs (e.g. Metro Ethernet) in most areas. MAN links between LANs have been built without cables using either microwave, radio, or infra-red laser links. The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... In computer networking, fiber-distributed data interface (FDDI) is a standard for data transmission in a local area network that can extend in range up to 200 km (124 miles). ... SMDS, which stands for Switched Multi-megabit Data Services, was a connectionless service used to connect LANs, MANs and WANs to exchange data. ... Ethernet is a large, diverse family of frame-based computer networking technologies that operates at many speeds for local area networks (LANs). ... A Metro Ethernet is a computer network based on the Ethernet standard covering a metropolitan area. ... LOCAL AREA NETWORK Local area network scheme A local area network is a computer network covering a small geographic area, like a home, office, or group of buildings. ... Microwaves are electromagnetic waves with wavelengths longer than those of terahertz (THz) frequencies, but relatively short for radio waves. ... Free-space optical communication involves the use of optical links across the space between two points, either within the Earths atmosphere, or in outer space. ...

DQDB, Distributed Queue Dual Bus, is the Metropolitan Area Network standard for data communication. It is specified in the IEEE 802.6 standard. Using DQDB, networks can be up to 30 miles long and operate at speeds of 34 to 155 Mbit/s. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Several notable networks started as MANs, such as the Internet peering points MAE-West, MAE-East, and the Sohonet media network.^{[citation needed]} Peering is the practice of exchanging Internet traffic with peers. ... Mae West (August 17, 1893 – November 22, 1980) was an American actress, playwright, screenwriter, and sex symbol. ... MAE-East is an eastern branch of The MCI Internet Exchange. ... Sohonet is a community-of-interest network for the television, film and media production community. ...

Related networks

• Local area network
• Campus area network
• Wide area network
• Wireless infrastructure

LOCAL AREA NETWORK Local area network scheme A local area network is a computer network covering a small geographic area, like a home, office, or group of buildings. ... In the case of a university campus-based campus area network the network is likely to link a variety of campus buildings including academic departments, the university library and student residence halls. ... A wide area network or WAN is a computer network covering a broad geographical area. ... A wireless metropolitan area network (MAN) offers broadband network access via exterior antennas. ...

MAN standards

IEEE Standards on LANs & MANs