Local Area

Network - LAN
WHAT IS LAN?

LAN is a privately owned computer network

covering a small geographical area. It is a
collection of devices connected together in
one physical location like in offices, work
places, schools etc….

2
3
 More about LAN’s
o A LAN comprises cables, access points, switches, routers, and other
components that enable devices to connect to internal servers, web
servers, and other LANs that belong to the same wide area network
(WAN).

o LAN connection can be established with the means of wires, ethernet

cables, Fiber Optics, Wi-Fi or other wireless medium(Infrared/radio
waves).

o LAN’s established using unguided media are known as WLAN (Wireless

LAN).

o LAN connectivity can span to nearby buildings. It can controlled either

by a single person or an organization. 4
Advantages:
o Key purpose of LAN is to share resources and data.

o LAN provides high speed data transfer. Speed of data transfer depends
on the distance of connectivity.
Usually 10mbps – 1gbps.

o As only authentic users can access the

computers and data shared, LAN’s are
comparatively secure.

o Inexpensive
5
Disadvantages:
o Malwares spread rapidly across nodes even if one of them gets
affected.
o Often need a professional or outsider help in establishing connection
between LAN’s as they comprise of many wires and can get messy.