Ch. 6 Networking

Networks are categorized by the area they they cover.(Shelly Caspian, Discovering the Internet. pg 310)  They include local area, wide area and metropolitan area.  A local area network covers a small area like an office setting or home.  "Most local area networks are built with relatively inexpensive hardware such as Ethernet cables, network adapters, and hubs. Wireless LAN and other more advanced LAN hardware options also exist." (http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/lanvlanwan/g/bldef_lan.htm)
WAN's are larger networks that may cover areas accross the country or the world.  The Internet is considered the largest WAN in the world.
Metropolitan area networks connects PC's in a localized area containing more than one office.  A corporation like West Herr in Western New York, with 17 dealerships in the area, are all connected by by a metropolitan area network.