INTRODUCTION

In recent years it has seen a growth in data traffic due to the popularity of internet, to the
point that today has reached far exceed the data traffic. In the context of
telecommunications networks, this leads to a predictable change in the technological
paradigm that will support future networks; thus requiring the implementation of
methodologies to develop data networks, which have high bearing capacity for
intercommunication.
The design of a network, can become a very complicated process depending on the
strategy used for implementation is therefore necessary to consider the application of
methods, techniques and methodologies, to ensure project success and allow proper
operation of the same. The non-application of a methodology increases the odds of
problems. AS ITS NAME IMPLIES, a local area network is a data communication
network, typically a packet communication network, limited in geographic scope.’ A
local area network generally provides high-bandwidth communication over inexpensive
transmission media. This paper discusses what local area networks are their structures
the sorts of protocols that are used with them, and their applications. It also discusses the
relationship of local area networks to long- haul networks and computer system 1/0
buses, as well as the impact of these networks on the field of computer communications
today
Definition of LAN:
A LAN comprises cables, access points, switches, routers, and other components that
enable devices to connect to internal servers, web servers, and other LANs via wide area
networks.
The rise of virtualization has also fueled the development of virtual LANs, which enable
network administrators to logically group network nodes and partition their networks
without a need for major infrastructure changes.
For example, in an office with multiple departments, such as accounting, IT support, and
administration, each department's computers could be logically connected to the same
switch but segmented to behave as if they are separate.
The Benefits of a LAN:
The advantages of a LAN are the same as those for any group of devices networked
together. The devices can use a single Internet connection, share files with one another,
print to shared printers, and be accessed and even controlled by one another.
LANs were developed in the 1960s for use by colleges, universities, and research
facilities (such as NASA), primarily to connect computers to other computers. It wasn't
until the development of Ethernet technology (1973, at Xerox PARC), its
commercialization (1980), and its standardization (1983) that LANs started to be used
widely.
While the benefits of having devices connected to a network have always been well
understood, it wasn't until the wide deployment of Wi-Fi technology that LANs became
commonplace in nearly every type of environment. Today, not only do businesses and
schools use LANs, but also restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and homes.
Wireless connectivity has also greatly expanded the types of devices that can be
connected to a LAN. Now, nearly everything imaginable can be "connected," from PCs,
printers, and phones to smart TVs, stereos, speakers, lighting, thermostats, window
shades, door locks, security cameras--and even coffeemakers, refrigerators, and toys.
Types of Local Area Network (LAN)
Local area networks can be classified based on the types of devices they connect, the
design of the underlying architecture, and the medium used. There’s also an emerging
LAN market that’s native to the cloud era. 
1. Client-server LAN
In a client-server LAN environment, a single server connects to multiple devices known
as clients. Client devices cannot interact with each other and a centralized machine
handles activities like network traffic management, network access control, etc. This
LAN type may be faster in small perimeters, but in a large perimeter, it places too much
pressure on the central server. 
2. Peer to peer (P2P) LAN
In a P2P LAN, there is no centralized server, and all connected devices have access to
each other, regardless of whether they are servers or clients. The advantage of a P2P
LAN is that devices can freely exchange data with one another, making it easier to stream
media, send files, and perform similar data exchange activities. On the downside, they
tend to be less powerful than client-server LANs. 
3. Token ring LAN
Based on the architecture design, you can classify LANs into a token ring or token bus
categories. In the former, all devices are arranged in a ring when they are connected. A
token is assigned to every connected device based on its requirements. It was introduced
by IBM in 1984 for use in corporate environments when ethernet technology was still in
the early stages of development. 
4. Token bus LAN
In a token bus LAN, connected nodes are arranged in a tree-like topology, and tokens are
transferred either left or right. Typically, it provides better bandwidth capacities than a
token ring LAN environment. 
5. Wired LAN
Wired LAN is probably the most common LAN type in use today. It uses electronic
waves to transfer data across optical fiber (or cable variants) instead of tokens. Wired
LAN is extremely reliable and can be very fast, depending on the performance of the
central server. However, it can hinder portability and flexibility, particularly in
environments with no fixed number of devices. 
6. Wireless LAN
Wireless LAN is commonly used in home environments to connect computing devices,
wearables, smart appliances, etc. but there is a massive enterprise market for wireless
LAN as well, growing by 10.3% year over year as per IDC. This type of LAN uses
radiofrequency for data transfers, which can make it susceptible to security risks. It is
also battery-intensive and may show fluctuating performance depending on where the
wireless device is situated. 
7. Cloud-managed LAN
Cloud-managed LAN is a specific type of wireless LAN where a centralized cloud
platform is used to manage network provisioning, policy enforcement, access control, and
other aspects of network performance and security. In a heterogeneous networked
environment, cloud-managed LAN streamlines governance, making it a good fit for
enterprise use. 
Components of LAN:
Now that we know what a local area network is and its various types let us explore the
various architectural components that make up your average LAN environment. 
1. Public internet
The public internet is what’s being accessed through the LAN. Typically, the centralized
server receives data packets from the public internet and access requests from the client
devices. It then addresses these requests by enabling data transfer to the various
connected nodes through a wired or wireless medium. Technically, a local area network
may exist without reaching the public internet – for example, for private data exchange or
private intranet hosting use cases. However, internet access is among the top reasons for
LAN adoption. 
2. Wired end-user devices
An average LAN environment will have a mix of both wired and wireless devices.
Remember that we are talking about end-user devices here, such as laptops, desktops,
smart televisions, smart monitors, collaboration hardware, meeting room systems, and the
like. These devices will have an ethernet port through which you can plug in the local
area network directly into the device itself. Wired end-user devices typically enjoy high-
speed internet connectivity, high-quality media streaming, and fast processing. 
3. Mobile end-user devices
Mobile end-user devices refer to devices that you connect using Wi-Fi instead of an
ethernet cable. Keep in mind that the same device can double up as both a wired or
mobile variant. For example, you may connect a laptop to LAN using the ethernet port on
the device or through Wi-Fi, depending on where the device is situated and the
performance you need. Wearables, smart home appliances, smart building components,
laptops, smartphones, and ruggedized handheld devices fall into this category. 
4. Centralized server
The centralized server is possibly the most crucial component in a LAN environment,
particularly for enterprise implementations. Enterprises may purchase or lease servers
from vendors like IBM, Cisco, HPE, etc. You can obtain LAN servers from your local
telecom carrier as well. Or, you can choose to connect all your devices to one or more
modems that are in turn connected to a server situated in a different location. This is
typically the case for consumer applications, as there is no cost incurred from housing or
maintaining the server. On the other hand, enterprises with LAN servers located on their
premises enjoy faster speeds and greater bandwidth capacity. 
5. Network switch(es)
A network switch is an essential component of a local area network. It governs how data
packets and network resources are allocated between the devices connected to the
centralized server. You can plug in multiple ethernet cables into a multi-port network
switch. The switch enforces your network policies so that performance is optimized for
every connected end-user device. There are two kinds of switches you can consider for
your LAN environment – managed and unmanaged. Managed switches provide you with
more control, but unmanaged switches may be cheaper and easier to maintain. 
6. Wi-Fi router
A Wi-Fi router is now a staple component of local area networks as wireless LAN
implementations aren’t possible without it. The router is connected to your modem so
that it can receive network signals, and it converts it into wireless signals that your
mobile end-user devices can process. In recent years, it is common to bundle Wi-Fi
routers into the same hardware shell as the modem, as wired-only networks are now
increasingly rare. Along with the router, you can deploy accompanying components like
Wi-Fi extenders, access points, Wi-Fi amplifiers, and analyzers to boost performance. All
of these components are available in both consumer-grade and enterprise-grade variants. 
7. Modem 
A modem is an indispensable component for a local area network as this is what converts
the analog signals transmitted via wires and cables into a digital format. Traditional
modems are standalone devices where you can plug in the incoming uplink on one end
and the outgoing cable on the other. However, there are several modern alternatives to
this approach. You can purchase a modem + router device that both converts analog
signals into digital and prepares for wireless transmission. You can also combine the
network switch with the modem’s functionality. Companies like Cisco and Dell continue
to manufacture powerful, standalone cable modems for enterprise use. 
8. Firewall appliance (optional)
A firewall protects end-user devices and servers from network-related security attacks by
restricting specific kinds of traffic. Today, most end-user devices ship with built-in
firewall software, and you can also download additional software from the internet. Some
of the more advanced router systems available in the market also include firewall
capability. Optionally, you can choose to implement a hardware firewall appliance as a
LAN component. It sits between the router and the network switch or between the switch
and the central server to regulate all the data traffic flowing to end-user devices. 
Conclusion:

Robust LAN infrastructure can provide you with reliable connectivity and support
business processes. To achieve this, companies must remember the following key
elements: 

 LAN helps connect devices in a 1-kilometer radius (wired) or 100 meters

radius (wireless). 
 LAN has seven essential and one optional component for optimized
functionality and security.
 Following the LAN best practices we recommended, you can ensure a
hassle-free LAN implementation that stands the test of time as your
organization evolves. 
 LAN continues to be a dynamic technology space, with the introduction of
AI and the cloud, despite being a highly mature market. 

By paying attention to the LAN architecture, users with networked environments of any
scale (consumer, SMB, or enterprise) can improve performance, save costs, and minimize
security risks.
REFERENCES:
1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
308089123_Analysis_of_Methodologies_of_Data_Networks_LAN/link/
59a400010f7e9b4f7df34891
2. https://www.spiceworks.com/tech/networking/articles/what-is-local-area-network/
3. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/what-is-a-lan-local-area-
network.html#~what-it-is
4. http://networkresearch-fl.com/