The definition of and uses for a local area online grid
LAN stands for local area online grid.
A LAN is a group of computers and devices that are in a specific location.
The devices connect to the LAN with an Ethernet cable or through Wi-Fi.
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Your home may have a LAN.
Only devices that you authorize have access to your LAN.
A Brief History of LAN
LANs were first used by colleges and universities in the 1960s.
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LANs didnt become popular with business organizations until after Xerox PARC developed Ethernet in 1976.
Chase Manhattan Bank in New York was the first commercial use of this new technology.
After the release of Ethernet, companies such as Novell and Microsoft developed software products to manage theseEthernetLAN networks.
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Over time, these networking tools became a part of popular computer operating systems.
Microsoft Windows 10 has tools to set up a home web link.
Characteristics of a LAN
LANs come in many sizes.
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A group of devices connected through a home internet connection is a LAN.
Small businesses have LANs that connect a dozen or a hundred computers with printers and file storage.
Multiple LANs can be connected over a telephone line or radio wave.
Home Network Median Associates / Cartoon Networks
Client/Server LANs consist of several devices (the clients) connected to a central server.
The server manages file storage, printer access, and web connection traffic.
A client can be a personal computer, tablet, or other devices that run applications.
The clients connect to the server either with cables or through a wireless connection.
Peer-to-Peer LANs dont have a central server and cannot handle heavy workloads like a client/server LAN.
On a peer-to-peer LAN, each personal computer and machine share equally in running the online grid.
The devices share resources and data through a wired or wireless connection to a router.
Most home networks are peer-to-peer.
If you have Wi-Fi internet in your home, youre ready toset up a wireless home LAN connection.
FAQ
A LAN cable is also known as anEthernet cable.
You use Ethernet cables to connect devices to a router in a local area web connection.
Ethernet cables also have specific distances over which they function effectively.
For example, for CAT 6 Ethernet cables, that distance is 700 feet.
Therefore, any equipment farther away from the router must connect wirelessly.
A LAN port is the same thing as an Ethernet port.
Devices that are not wireless-enabled must connect to the router using an Ethernet cable in an Ethernet/LAN port.
