Local Area Network (LAN)

A network of computers in a small area (as an office) that are linked so they can communicate directly with other devices on the network, and can share resources.

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a computer network that spans a relatively small area. Most LANs are confined to a single building or group of buildings. However, one LAN can be connected to other LANs over any distance via telephone lines and radio waves. A system of LANs connected in this way is called a wide-area network(WAN).

Most LANs connect workstations and personal computers. Each node (individual computer ) in a LAN has its own CPU with which it executes programs, but it also is able to access data and devices anywhere on the LAN. This means that many users can share expensive devices, such as laser printers, as well as data. Users can also use the LAN to communicate with each other, by sending e-mail or engaging in chat sessions.

There are many different types of LANs Ethernets being the most common for PCs. Most Apple Macintosh networks are based on Apple's AppleTalk network system, which is built into Macintosh computers.

LANs are capable of transmitting data at very fast rates, much faster than data can be transmitted over a telephone line; but the distances are limited, and there is also a limit on the number of computers that can be attached to a single LAN.

Some of the advantages to connecting your computers and having a Local Area Network:

Software

The ability to share both a software application and the files it creates amongst all of your computers is the primary reason for setting up a network. Not only will you see an increase in your employees' productivity, but an increase in the organization of their computer files as well. No longer will you have to copy files to floppies and carry them from another computer to yours for processing. Opening files on a computer across your office will be as simple if they were stored on your own machine.

Printers

Sometimes the printer connected to your machine doesn't have the capabilities of another printer in your office; i.e. color or laser quality. To print on another printer in a non-networked situation, you have two options. First, you could disconnect your printer and the printer you wish to use and install the new printer to your computer. Second, you could copy the file to a floppy disk, assuming it will fit, and load it into the computer connected to the printer with which you wish to print. It must also be assumed that the computer you are loading the file on has the same software installed to read and print the file with which it was created. In a networked situation, it is as easy as selecting the printer you wish to use from a drop-down box at the time of printing, and clicking on the print button.

Internet

Most of the employees in your office, including yourself, can increase their productivity with access to the Internet. Using a technology such as business solutions T-1 (1.5Mbps) combined with a network allows multiple computers to share the same Internet account simultaneously.