Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Definition
A Metropolitan Area Network is a network that connects multiple local area networks across a city or large campus area. MANs are often provided by telecom providers or built by large organizations to link sites with high-speed, low-latency connectivity.
Examples
- A city council connects offices, libraries, and public service buildings through a provider-managed MAN.
- A university links multiple campuses across a city using a MAN so services like identity and learning platforms are shared reliably.
Discover 🔎
Networks are often described by the size of the area they cover. A LAN is local to a building or site. A WAN spans regions or countries. A MAN sits in between, connecting multiple sites across a city or metropolitan area. In practice, MANs are common when an organization has several nearby locations and needs fast, reliable links between them.
From a security perspective, a MAN is important because it extends your internal connectivity beyond one building. That creates benefits, like shared services and centralized management, but it also increases the need for strong segmentation, monitoring, and clear trust boundaries.
Tip: The interactive version includes progress tracking, decks, and premium deep dives.