LAN Definition

First, the LAN definition stands for Local Area Network. It connects computers to form a computer’s network in a relatively small geographical area such as a university computer lab or an office building. In a local area network, several computers are connected using network devices such as hubs, bridges, switches, and routers.

When a LAN is established in an area, it is set up according to a special physical arrangement which is called network topology. Generally, the most used network topologies for LANs are bus, ring, star, and tree. An interconnected set of LANs forms an extended network which is referred to as a wide area network (WAN).

The advantages of using a LAN

• One of the prime reasons to set up a LAN is to easily communicate with each computer in a physical area. The best way to set up a cost-effective and secure company intranet is to set up a local area network.
• Another key point, LAN not only provides a central back-up system but also lets you share information such as company data and local emails across all the computers connected to the LAN by broadcasting data through network devices.
• Each computer connected to a LAN gets the opportunity to share the same hardware resources such as printers and display devices. This reduces the energy and cost of maintaining computer infrastructure.
• It is convenient to install and upgrade software across all the computers when they are connected to a LAN. This saves time that you have to spend on installing and upgrading software on individual computers.