What is a LAN?
Local Area Network
http://www.answers.com/topic/local-area-network
as opposed to a Wide Area Network (WAN)
http://www.answers.com/topic/wide-area-network
LAN is an acronym for "Local Area Network" and WAN is "Wide Area Network"
A LAN, or Local Area Network, is a computer network that covers a small geographical area, such as a home, office, or building. It allows computers and devices in close proximity to communicate and share resources, such as files, printers, and internet access.
To understand what a LAN is, you can break down the term into its components:
1. Local: A LAN is a network that exists within a limited physical area, typically a building or a group of buildings. The range of a LAN can vary, but it is generally limited to a few hundred meters or less.
2. Area: A LAN covers a specific geographical area, as opposed to networks that span larger distances, like Wide Area Networks (WANs) that can cover cities, countries, or the entire globe.
3. Network: A network refers to a collection of interconnected devices that can communicate and share resources. In the case of a LAN, the devices are typically computers, servers, printers, and other network-enabled devices.
To set up a LAN, you would typically need the following:
1. Network devices: This includes routers, switches, hubs, or access points to create the network infrastructure and connect the devices together.
2. Networking cables: Ethernet cables, such as Cat5e or Cat6, are commonly used to physically connect devices in a LAN.
3. Network interface cards (NICs): Every device in a LAN needs a NIC, which allows it to connect and communicate over the network. Most computers and devices have built-in NICs, but they can also be added separately.
4. Network protocols: LANs use network protocols, such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi, to define the rules and standards for communication between devices in the network.
Overall, a LAN provides a convenient and efficient way for computers and devices in a localized area to communicate and share resources, making it an essential component of modern computer networks.