What characterizes a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)?

A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is specifically designed to cover a geographical area that is larger than a Local Area Network (LAN) but smaller than a Wide Area Network (WAN). It typically encompasses a city or a portion of a city, providing connectivity among multiple buildings, such as those in a downtown area or across a university campus. This type of network is utilized to interconnect various local networks within that metropolitan area, facilitating communication and data exchange, thereby integrating resources and services over a broader scale than is possible with a LAN.

The other options do not accurately describe the characteristics of a MAN. For instance, covering a large country pertains more to a WAN, which connects networks over long distances. Also, connecting devices over a single campus is characteristic of a LAN, as it usually involves a smaller geographical footprint and focuses on connecting systems within close proximity. Lastly, the emphasis on connecting rural areas does not align with the purpose of a MAN, since such networks generally operate within urban settings to serve concentrated populations and businesses.