A Local Area Network (LAN) is a group of computers or other devices interconnected within a single, limited area, typically via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Show
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Image from IT Release FAQsWhat is a Local Area Network?A LAN is a computer network that consists of access points, cables, routers, and switches that enable devices to connect to web servers and internal servers within a single building, campus, or home network, and to other LANs via Wide Area Networks (WAN) or Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). Devices on a LAN, typically personal computers and workstations, can share files and be accessed by each other over a single Internet connection. A router assigns IP addresses to each device on the network and facilitates a shared Internet connection between all the connected devices. A network switch connects to the router and facilitates communication between connected devices, but does not handle Local Area Network IP configuration or sharing Internet connections. Switches are ideal tools for increasing the number of LAN ports available on the network. What are the Basic Layouts of Local Area NetworksThe Local Area Network layout, also known as Local Area Network topology, describes the physical and logical manner in which devices and network segments are interconnected. LANs are categorized by the physical signal transmission medium or the logical manner in which data travels through the network between devices, independent of the physical connection. LANs generally consist of cables and switches, which can be connected to a router, cable modem, or ADSL modem for Internet access. LANs can also include such network devices as firewalls, load balancers, and network intrusion detection. Logical network topology examples include twisted pair Ethernet, which is categorized as a logical bus topology, and token ring, which is categorized as a logical ring topology. Physical network topology examples include star, mesh, tree, ring, point-to-point, circular, hybrid, and bus topology networks, each consisting of different configurations of nodes and links. How Does Local Area Network WorkThe function of Local Area Networks is to link computers together and provide shared access to printers, files, and other services. Local area network architecture is categorized as either peer-to-peer or client-server. On a client-server local area network, multiple client-devices are connected to a
central server, in which application access, device access, file storage, and network traffic are managed. Applications running on the Local Area Network server provide services such as database access, document sharing, email, and printing. Devices on a peer-to-peer local area network share data directly to a switch or router without the use of a central server. LANs can interconnect with other LANs via leased lines and services, or across the Internet using virtual, private network technologies. This system of connected LANs is classified as a Wide Local Area Network or a metropolitan area network. Local Area and Wide Area Networks differ in their range. An Emulated Local Area Network enables routing and data bridging an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network, which facilitates the exchange of Ethernet and token ring network data. How to Design a Local Area NetworkThe first step in Local Area Network design is determining network needs. Before building a Local Area Network, identify the number of devices, which determines the number of ports required. A switch can extend the number of ports as the number of devices increases. In order to connect devices wirelessly, a router is required to broadcast a wireless LAN. A router is also required to establish an internet connection for devices on the network. The distance between hardware devices should be measured in order to determine the length of cables required. Switches can connect cables for very long distances. The setup simply requires connecting the router to a power source, connecting the modem to the router, connecting the switch to the router (if using), and connecting the devices to the open LAN ports on the router via Ethernet. Next, set up one computer as a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server by installing a third-party utility. This will enable all of the connected computers to easily obtain IP addresses. Turn on “Network Discovery” and “File and Printer Sharing” capabilities. For wireless Local Area Network Installation, start by connecting the computer into one of the router's LAN ports via Ethernet. Enter the router's IP address into any Web Browser and log in with the network administrator account when prompted for a username and password. Open the “Wireless” section in the router settings and change the name of the network in the “SSID” field. Enable “WPA-2 Personal” as the security or authentication option. Create a password under “"Pre-Shared Key," ensure that the wireless network is “enabled,” save changes, restart the router, and connect wireless devices to the wireless network, which should appear on the available network list of devices within range. Characteristics of wireless Local Area Network include: high capacity load balancing, scalability, network management system, role-based access control, indoor and outdoor coverage options, performance measuring abilities, mobile device management, web content and application filtering, roaming, redundancy, wireless Local Area Network Application prioritization, network switching, and network firewalls. A common Local Area Network issue is a disabled Local Area Network adapter or adapter error, which can be caused by faulty network adapter settings or by VPN software. Typical solutions include: updating the network adapter driver, resetting the network connection, and checking WLAN AutoConfig dependency services. How to Secure a Local Area NetworkThe majority of Local Area Network problems and solutions are concerned with the matter of security. There are a variety of strategies for designing a secure Local Area Network. A common approach is to install a firewall behind a single access point, such as a wireless router. Another valuable measure is to use security protocols such as WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2 for password encryption on incoming Internet traffic. Implementing specialized authentication policies enables network administrators to inspect and filter network traffic in order to prevent unauthorized access. Specific access points can be secured with the use of technologies such as VPNs. Internal Local Area Network security can be managed by installing antivirus or anti-malware software. Virtual Local Area Network DefinitionA Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) is a logical grouping of devices that can assemble together collections of devices on separate physical LANs, and is configured to communicate as if the devices were attached to the same wire. This enables network administrators to easily configure a single switched network to match the security and functional requirements of their systems without requiring any additional cables or significant changes to the current network infrastructure. VLANs are categorized as Protocol VLAN, Static VLAN, or Dynamic VLAN. Importance of Local Area Network in an OrganizationThere are several advantages of Local Area Networks in business:
Does HEAVY.AI Offer a Local Area Network Solution?Real-time monitoring of network activity is essential to the security of a network. When linked together, LANs create Wide Area Networks and Metropolitan Area Networks, which are sometimes inundated with data sets that are too massive for the capabilities of a traditional analytics platform. With HEAVY.AI, telecommunications network operators and data scientists can monitor, analyze, and visualize billions of rows of data in real-time to diagnose and mitigate issues, optimize performance, improve the customer experience, and maintain the network’s high standards of reliability. A Computer Network is a group of two or more interconnected computer systems that use common connection protocols for sharing various resources and files. You can establish a computer network connection using either cable or wireless media. Every network involves hardware and software that connects computers and tools. In this Computer networking tutorial, you will learn: There are various types of Computer Networking options available. The classification of network in computers can be done according to their size as well as their purpose. The size of a network should be expressed by the geographic area and number of computers, which are a part of their networks. It includes devices housed in a single room to millions of devices spread across the world. Following are the popular types of Computer Network: Types of Computer Networks Some of the most popular computer network types are:
Let’s study all of these types of networking in detail. PAN (Personal Area Network) is a computer network formed around a person. It generally consists of a computer, mobile, or personal digital assistant. PAN can be used for establishing communication among these personal devices for connecting to a digital network and the internet. Below are the main characteristics of PAN:
Here are the important pros/benefits of PAN network:
Disadvantages of PANHere are the cons/drawbacks of using PAN network:
A Local Area Network (LAN) is a group of computer and peripheral devices which are connected in a limited area such as school, laboratory, home, and office building. It is a widely useful network for sharing resources like files, printers, games, and other application. The simplest type of LAN network is to connect computers and a printer in someone’s home or office. In general, LAN will be used as one type of transmission medium. It is a network which consists of less than 5000 interconnected devices across several buildings. Local Area Network (LAN) Here are the important characteristics of a LAN network:
Here are the pros/benefits of LAN:
Here are the cons/drawbacks of LAN:
WAN (Wide Area Network) is another important computer network that which is spread across a large geographical area. WAN network system could be a connection of a LAN which connects with other LAN’s using telephone lines and radio waves. It is mostly limited to an enterprise or an organization. Wide Area Network (WAN) Below are the characteristics of WAN:
Here are the benefits/pros of WAN:
Disadvantages of WANHere are the drawbacks/cons of WAN network:
Also Check: LAN vs WAN: What’s the Difference? A Metropolitan Area Network or MAN is consisting of a computer network across an entire city, college campus, or a small region. This type of network is large than a LAN, which is mostly limited to a single building or site. Depending upon the type of configuration, this type of network allows you to cover an area from several miles to tens of miles. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) Here are important characteristics of the MAN network:
Here are the pros/benefits of MAN network:
Disadvantages of MANHere are drawbacks/cons of using the MAN network:
Apart from above mentioned computer networks, here are some other important types of networks:
Let’s see all these different types of networks in detail: 1) WLANWLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) helps you to link single or multiple devices using wireless communication within a limited area like home, school, or office building. It gives users an ability to move around within a local coverage area which may be connected to the network. Today most modern day’s WLAN systems are based on IEEE 802.11 standards. 2) Storage-Area Network (SAN)A Storage Area Network is a type of network which allows consolidated, block-level data storage. It is mainly used to make storage devices, like disk arrays, optical jukeboxes, and tape libraries. 3) System-Area NetworkSystem Area Network is used for a local network. It offers high-speed connection in server-to-server and processor-to-processor applications. The computers connected on a SAN network operate as a single system at quite high speed. 4) Passive Optical Local Area NetworkPOLAN is a networking technology which helps you to integrate into structured cabling. It allows you to resolve the issues of supporting Ethernet protocols and network apps. POLAN allows you to use optical splitter which helps you to separate an optical signal from a single-mode optical fiber. It converts this single signal into multiple signals. 5) Home Area Network (HAN):A Home Area Network is always built using two or more interconnected computers to form a local area network (LAN) within the home. For example, in the United States, about 15 million homes have more than one computer. These types of network connections help computer owners to interconnect with multiple computers. This network allows sharing files, programs, printers, and other peripherals. 6) Enterprise Private Network :Enterprise private network (EPN) networks are build and owned by businesses that want to securely connect numerous locations in order to share various computer resources. 7) Campus Area Network (CAN):A Campus Area Network is made up of an interconnection of LANs within a specific geographical area. For example, a university campus can be linked with a variety of campus buildings to connect all the academic departments. 8) Virtual Private Network:A VPN is a private network which uses a public network to connect remote sites or users together. The VPN network uses “virtual” connections routed through the internet from the enterprise’s private network or a third-party VPN service to the remote site. It is a free or paid service that keeps your web browsing secure and private over public WiFi hotspots. Summary
What is it called when two or more devices are connected together?A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications.
When two or computers are connected in small area like room or office building?Detailed Solution. Is a system in which two or more computers are connected to each other?A computer network (Figure 10.2) is an interconnection among two or more computers or computing devices. Such interconnection allows computers to share data and resources among each other.
What do we call a group of two or more computers that are close together and connected to each other either directly or indirectly *?A network is a collection of two or more computers connected to one another so as to share data.
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