What type of network uses MAC addresses to route data?

Local Area Networks (LAN) use MAC (Media Access Control) addresses to route data between devices within the same network segment. MAC addresses are unique identifiers assigned to network interfaces, allowing devices within a LAN to recognize each other and communicate directly without involving routers. This is key to how data is exchanged on a local scale, as MAC addresses facilitate efficient communication between interconnected devices like computers, printers, and switches within an office or a home network.

In the context of the other types of networks mentioned:

• Wide Area Networks (WAN) typically cover larger geographical areas and often involve different networking technologies and routing based on IP addresses rather than MAC addresses.

• Virtual LANs (VLAN) are a logical segmentation of a LAN that can operate on the same physical infrastructure; however, they still fundamentally rely on the use of MAC addresses for communication within those segments.

• Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN) span a larger area than a LAN but are still not primarily focused on MAC addressing—similar to WAN, they use IP addressing for communication over broader scopes.

Thus, the primary focus of MAC addresses and their function aligns explicitly with the operations and characteristics of a Local Area Network.