Local Area Network (LAN)
A Local Area Network (LAN) is a collection of computers and devices that are interconnected within a limited geographical area, such as a room or a building. LANs facilitate communication through wired connections using Ethernet cables or wirelessly via Wi-Fi. They are commonly utilized in various settings, including offices, schools, and government buildings, allowing for data sharing, resource sharing, and collaborative work among users.
To establish a LAN, computers are typically connected to a central hub, which manages communication between them. This can enhance efficiency and reduce costs by enabling multiple users to share resources like printers and internet connections. Wireless LANs offer flexibility, enabling devices such as smartphones and laptops to connect without being tethered by cables, thus accommodating mobility.
While LANs provide significant advantages, including shared access to expensive equipment and centralized data management, they also come with potential drawbacks. Security risks can arise, as unauthorized access or malware can spread rapidly throughout the network. To mitigate these risks, security measures such as firewalls and protocols are often recommended. Overall, LANs play a vital role in modern networking, supporting efficient communication and resource management in various environments.
Local Area Network (LAN)
A local area network is a group of computers that communicate through a network cable or other wireless device. Unlike the similar wide area network, local area networks, commonly referred to as LANs, cover only a small area. In most cases, this area is confined to a room or building. Local area networks are commonly used in offices, schools, and government buildings.
Introduction to Local Area Networks
In order for computers to communicate, they need a way to transfer data from one machine to another. In some cases, this is accomplished via an Internet connection. In others, computers share data through a local area network. This data sharing may take place through a variety of means, including Ethernet cables, token ring protocols, Wi-Fi, Fiber Distributed Data Interfaces (FDDI), and ARCNET. The most common interfaces are Ethernet cables and Wi-Fi.
To create a local area network with Ethernet cables, each computer must have a properly installed Ethernet port. An Ethernet port is a physical receiver for an Ethernet cable attached to the computer’s motherboard. A computer lacking an Ethernet port can have one installed. Alternatively, a temporary external Ethernet port may be installed through a USB slot.
While computers can be connected directly from Ethernet port to Ethernet port, it is impractical to connect a large number of computers in this fashion. It would require each computer to have a massive number of Ethernet ports to support any type of large network. Instead, Ethernet-based networks require a hub. A network hub is a piece of hardware to which all the machines on the network are connected. This hub manages and directs all communication between the machines. Hubs often have large numbers of ports to allow multiple machines to exist simultaneously on the network. In modern networks, a router often acts as a network hub.
Wireless local area networks are possible using Wi-Fi. Initially, these networks were so expensive to set up that they were used only in rare situations where wiring was impossible. However, with the increased prevalence of Wi-Fi and wireless routers, this networking option has become much more affordable. Wireless LANs allow any device within the network’s range to connect and disconnect simply by manipulating the settings on the device. They also allow users of mobile devices—such as smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers—to remain active on the LAN while moving throughout a facility.
A token ring network is a type of local area network designed to avoid conflicts during complex operations. It may utilize Ethernet cables or Wi-Fi, but it is different from a traditional LAN. Token ring networks use a number of hubs or routers to connect a large number of computers. Several machines will be connected to each hub. However, information only travels among the hubs in a set loop. In a traditional LAN, computers all send information to one hub, which sorts the information and sends it back out. In a token ring, each computer sends information to its hub. That hub then sends the information to another hub and receives information from yet another hub. Because the information is always traveling in a set pattern, it is easier for the system to manage coherently. Some token rings include a second backup ring of hubs in case one of the hubs in the first ring fails.
An FDDI network is a specific type of token ring. It uses ANSI and ISO standards for transmission on specialized fiber-optic cables. Unlike normal LANs, these networks can stretch over city blocks, and they can handle download speeds of more than 100 megabytes per second. Many FDDI networks are made up of two token rings.
Why Use a Local Area Network?
Local area networks provide people, businesses, and governments with many advantages. They allow networks of computers to share expensive machines—such as copiers, scanners, and printers—so that businesses do not have to buy multiples of each machine. They also allow Internet services to be shared across the network, so that one powerful connection can supply large numbers of machines with online access.
Local area networks may be used to share critical information among machines without the need to copy the information from one machine to the others. Users may edit and access information kept in a database simultaneously. Local area networks can also be used to copy applications and programs to each machine and to set up periodic backups of every machine on the network. Lastly, local area networks may be used to set up internal messaging services and Internet pages. These pages and messaging services would appear similar to other Internet websites and messaging systems. However, they would only be available to machines directly connected to the LAN. This provides companies with an added layer of protection as it would be difficult for an outsider to hack into these services because that person would need to get access to the LAN.
Of course, local area networks do have disadvantages. A hacker who gains access to a private network could easily view or download many important company files. Additionally, if a virus, Trojan, or other form of malware infects one computer on the network, the malware will quickly spread to every other device connected to the network. For this reason, security experts recommend setting up LANs with built-in security protocols, such as firewalls.
Bibliography
"Fiber Optic Network Topologies for ITS and Other Systems." Fiber-Optics Info. Fiber-Optics Info. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. http://www.fiber-optics.info/articles/fiber‗optic‗network‗topologies‗for‗its‗and‗other‗systems. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
"LANs – Local Area Networks." Revision World. Revision World Networks, Ltd. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. http://revisionworld.com/gcse-revision/ict/networks-internet/computer-computer-communication/lans-%E2%80%93-local-area-networks. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
Mikac, Eric. "What Is a Local Area Network (LAN)?" CBT Nuggets, 7 Dec. 2023, www.cbtnuggets.com/blog/technology/networking/what-is-local-area-network. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
Rouse, Margaret. "Definition: FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface)." Search Networking. TechTarget. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/FDDI. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
Rouse, Margaret. "Definition: Local Area Network (LAN)." Search Networking. TechTarget. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/local-area-network-LAN. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
Rouse, Margaret. "Definition: Token Ring." Search Networking. TechTarget. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/Token-Ring. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.