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LAN, WAN, and SAN – What’s the Difference?

LAN, WAN, and SAN – What’s the Difference?

Modern IT infrastructure relies on different types of networks to handle data, storage, and communication. Three of the most common terms—LAN, WAN, and SAN—each serve a distinct purpose in business operations. At IronLAN, we design all three from the ground up to deliver maximum performance, security, and control.

What is a LAN?

A Local Area Network (LAN) connects devices within a limited area such as an office, building, or campus. It enables fast file sharing, internal application access, and centralized resource use.

  • Use Case: Office desktops, printers, VoIP phones, and servers connected via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
  • IronLAN Advantage: Custom Layer 2/3 switches and high-speed LAN routers with VLAN and QoS support.

What is a WAN?

A Wide Area Network (WAN) connects multiple LANs across distant geographic locations. WANs enable branch offices, remote teams, and data centers to securely communicate over the internet or private links.

  • Use Case: Connecting headquarters with remote sites or cloud platforms.
  • IronLAN Advantage: Preconfigured VPN gateways, SD-WAN routing, and real-time failover architecture.

What is a SAN?

A Storage Area Network (SAN) provides fast, block-level access to shared storage across servers. SANs are used in environments where storage performance, uptime, and scalability are mission-critical.

  • Use Case: Virtualization clusters, video archives, database servers, and disaster recovery replication.
  • IronLAN Advantage: Fully integrated IP-SAN or Fibre Channel solutions with optional SES expansion.

Why Choose IronLAN?

We don’t just supply hardware—we design intelligent network infrastructure that aligns with your mission. Whether you're building a secure LAN, scaling a national WAN, or deploying a SAN for high-throughput workloads, IronLAN delivers precision-engineered solutions built to last.

  • Made in the USA: All systems configured and tested in U.S.-based facilities.
  • NDAA-Compliant Builds: Secure by design, with trusted components and firmware.
  • Lifecycle Support: Pre-staging, deployment, and 24/7 technical support available.

From edge to core, IronLAN is your trusted partner in modern network design.

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What is a LAN?
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LAN, WAN & SAN?
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