A LAN network, or Local Area Network, is a network that spans a relatively small geographic area, such as a single building or a group of buildings in close proximity. It allows computers, devices, and peripherals within the same physical location to communicate and share resources like files, printers, and internet connections. LANs are commonly used in homes, offices, schools, and small businesses to facilitate local communication and data sharing among connected devices.
LAN stands for Local Area Network. It is called “local” because it typically covers a limited area, such as a home, office, or campus. The term “area” refers to the geographical scope of the network, which is restricted to a relatively small physical location compared to larger networks like wide area networks (WANs) that can span cities or even countries.
The main use of a LAN is to enable efficient communication and resource sharing among devices within a localized environment. By connecting computers, printers, servers, and other devices on a LAN, users can easily share files, access shared network resources like printers and storage devices, collaborate on projects, and communicate via email and other network-based applications. LANs provide a cost-effective and scalable solution for local network connectivity and management.
Wi-Fi, LAN refers to a wireless local area network. It operates using wireless technology (Wi-Fi) to connect devices within the same physical area without the need for wired connections. Wi-Fi LANs enable devices such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and smart home devices to connect to each other and access the internet wirelessly within homes, offices, and public spaces equipped with Wi-Fi access points or routers.