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220-1201 Campus area network (CAN) Practice Question
A technician is configuring a network for a university campus that has multiple buildings spread across a 5-kilometer area. Each building has its own LAN, and they all need to be interconnected to share resources. Which network type best describes the overall campus network?
⚠ Common exam trap
The distinction between CAN and MAN can be tricky because the distance (5 km) might seem large, but a CAN is limited to a single campus or site, while a MAN connects multiple sites across a city.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Campus area network (CAN)
A campus area network (CAN) is specifically designed to interconnect multiple LANs within a limited geographic area, such as a university campus or corporate park. With buildings spread across 5 kilometers, the network fits the CAN scope, which typically spans up to 10 km and uses high-speed backbone links like Gigabit Ethernet or fiber optics to connect the individual LANs.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Local area network (LAN)
Why it's wrong here
A LAN typically covers a single building, not multiple buildings across 5 km.
- ✗
Metropolitan area network (MAN)
Why it's wrong here
A MAN covers a city (often 10+ km), which is larger than the 5 km campus.
- ✓
Campus area network (CAN)
Why this is correct
A CAN interconnects LANs within a campus-sized area, exactly matching this scenario.
- ✗
Wide area network (WAN)
Why it's wrong here
A WAN connects geographically distant locations, often across cities or countries.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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