3. Local Area Network (LAN)

A Local Area Network is one that has two or more machines connected within a fairly close geographical area. For example the LAN may be located within a single building such as a home or business office or it may cover a few nearby buildings as well, such as an University campus, hospital, library or school.

LAN Star configuration

Networks can be organised in a number of ways, but the most popular is the 'star' configuration where a hub or switch is at the centre.

Workstations connect directly to the hub or switch and so does the server(s) if present.

Each server and workstation has an ethernet network card or perhaps a wireless card.

If a wireless connection is included then a wireless access point or WAP needs to be present as well.

This arrangement allows information, files and peripherals to be shared on the network.

There may not be a server attached to the network. This is then called a 'Peer to Peer' local area network as the workstations share data amongst themselves. Most homes would not have a server attached to the LAN (although that is changing as well).

In order to become visible to other workstations, a folder is made shareable (which is why it is called a 'share'). The shares may all be on the server but there is no reason they can't be present on some workstations as well.

challenge see if you can find out one extra fact on this topic that we haven't already told you

Click on this link: Setting up a LAN