A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) sits at the heart of modern, city-scale connectivity, linking offices, campuses, and critical services into one seamless network. But as networks grow beyond a single building, understanding how everything connects can quickly become complex. This guide explores what a MAN network diagram is, how it compares to LAN and WAN setups, when it makes sense to use one, and how to design it step by step. With practical examples and free templates, you can move from concept to clarity and confidently map networks that scale across an entire city.
Network diagrams are visual representations of a computer network that show how devices, systems, and connections are structured and how data flows between them. These diagrams are only as clear as the symbols used to draw them. This guide simplifies networking symbols by explaining what they are, why they matter, and how to use standard symbols correctly. You’ll learn about common network diagram symbols, best practices for labeling and annotation, and how these visual elements help create diagrams that are easy to read, share, and maintain over time.
