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Local Area Network Definition
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.
Switches are ideal tools for increasing the number of LAN ports available on the network. A router assigns IP addresses to each device on the web 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.
What are the Basic Layouts of Local Area Networks
The 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. The biological signal transmission medium categorizes LANs, or the rational way 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 classified 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 Work
The 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 using 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 vast 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 on an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network, which facilitates the exchange of Ethernet and token ring network data.
How to Design a Local Area Network
The 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.
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 to determine the length of cables required. Switches can connect cables for very long distances.
The setup 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 obtain IP addresses quickly. Turn on the "Network Discovery" and "File and Printer Sharing" capabilities.
For wireless Local Area Network Installation, start by connecting the computer to one of the router's LAN ports via Ethernet. Open the "Wireless" section in the router settings and change the network name in the "SSID" field. 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.
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.
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