Local Area Network (LAN)
• LAN is a network that connects computers and devices in a small area such as a home, school computer lab, office building or closely located buildings.
• Typically owned by a single organization, suchas school, college, university or company.
• LAN is used to link computers and to share expensive devices such as laser printer and file server.
• Often, the nodes are connected via cables.
• The simplest form of LAN is to connect two computers together.
• A network which consists of less than 500 interconnected devices across several buildings, is still recognized as a LAN.
• Example of LAN:
– A network that connects computers on three floors in an office building.
Wireless LAN
• A wireless LAN (WLAN) is LAN that uses radio signals to connect computers and other devices.
• Computers and devices that access wireless LAN must have built-in wireless capabilities.
• All communications pass through the network’s centrally located Wireless Access Point (or WAP).
• Computers and mobile devices on a wireless LAN often communicate with a wired LAN to access its software, printer, the Internet, and other resources.
