What type of network is spread across multiple buildings in the same geographical location, such as a college campus?

A Campus Area Network (CAN) is specifically designed to connect multiple buildings within a defined area, such as a college campus or a business complex. This type of network provides high-speed connectivity across a limited geographical space and allows for the sharing of resources and communication between various users and departments within an organization.

In a college campus scenario, this means that different buildings housing classrooms, dormitories, libraries, and administrative offices can all be interconnected, facilitating seamless access to network resources like internet services, printers, and file servers. The infrastructure designed for CAN typically utilizes Ethernet wiring and Wi-Fi technology to support both wired and wireless connections across the campus.

While Local Area Networks (LANs) are also relevant, they typically limit their service to a single building or small group of buildings, focusing on a smaller network environment. Wide Area Networks (WANs), on the other hand, span much larger geographic areas and connect multiple LANs, while Personal Area Networks (PANs) refer to networks designed for individual use, often connecting personal devices within a very short range. Therefore, the characteristics of a Campus Area Network align perfectly with the requirement of spanning multiple buildings in a specific geographic location.