Similar to a Local-area Network (LAN), the Campus-area Network (CAN) can connect network nodes (hosts) that may be located in geographically distinct locations, yet typically do not require remote communications devices between the locations.

Colleges and companies that occupy several buildings in a small area have typical CANs. If you connect several CANs together, they evolve into a Wide-area Network (WAN). The only additions are the remote comm devices.