A LAN, WAN, and PAN are classified mainly by geographical scope, whereas a VPN is a secure logical connection created over another network. A VPN is therefore not another network size category.
The Key Differences
| Network | Definition and scope | Example |
|---|---|---|
| PAN (personal area network) | Connects devices within a few metres of one person. | Phone linked to wireless earbuds by Bluetooth. |
| LAN (local area network) | Connects devices in a limited location, normally under one person's or organization's control. | A school's computers, printers, and servers. |
| WAN (wide area network) | Connects devices or LANs over a large geographical area, commonly through telecommunications infrastructure. | A company linking offices in different countries; the internet is the largest WAN. |
| VPN (virtual private network) | Creates an encrypted tunnel across a public or untrusted network for secure data exchange. | A student accessing a school network from home. |
How They Relate
A PAN connects one person's nearby devices, while a LAN connects devices across a home, office, school, or campus. A WAN can connect several geographically separated LANs.
A VPN operates differently. Through tunnelling and encryption, it can protect confidentiality while data travels across a WAN such as the internet. For example, a remote employee may use a VPN to access resources on the employer's LAN.
A common misconception is that a VPN is a fourth size category, perhaps larger than a WAN. This is incorrect: PAN, LAN, and WAN describe scope; VPN describes a method for establishing a private connection over existing infrastructure.
