Metropolitan-area networks |
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| Authors: | Morreale P.A. Campbell G.M. |
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| Affiliation: | Illinois Inst. of Technol., Chicago, IL; |
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| Abstract: | Metropolitan-area networks (MAN), which fill the gap between local area networks (LANs) and wide-area networks (WANs), are discussed. MANs were originally oriented toward data, but now often carry voice and video traffic as well. Supplying more bandwidth than LANs, they support two-way communication over a shared medium such as an optical-fiber cable, and may offer point-to-point high-speed circuits or packet-switched communication. The two most favored topologies, double-star and double-ring, are described and emerging MAN protocols are examined |
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