WHAT IS OPTICAL FIBER?

 

What is a LAN ?

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a collection of devices connected together in one physical location, such as a building, office, or home. Here are some key points about LANs:

1. Definition: A LAN connects devices that are in a single, limited area. It can be small (like a home network) or large (like an enterprise network with thousands of users and devices in an office or school).
2. Components: A LAN includes cables, access points, switches, routers, and other components that enable devices to connect to internal servers, web servers, and other LANs via wide area networks (WANs).
3. Virtual LANs (VLANs): Virtual LANs allow network administrators to logically group network nodes without major infrastructure changes.                                                                                                                                     Here are the key types of LANs:

4. Wired LANs:

   • Ethernet LAN: This type of LAN uses wired connections (usually twisted-pair cables) to connect devices. Ethernet LANs are common in offices, schools, and data centers. They provide high-speed data transfer and are reliable.
   • Token Ring LAN: Token Ring networks use a token-passing protocol. Devices are connected in a ring, and only the device with the token can transmit data. Although less common today, they were popular in the past.
   • Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI): FDDI uses optical fiber cables to create a high-speed LAN. It’s suitable for large organizations and provides redundancy for reliability.

5. Wireless LANs (Wi-Fi):

   • Wi-Fi LAN: Wireless LANs use radio waves to connect devices without physical cables. Wi-Fi is prevalent in homes, cafes, airports, and public spaces. It allows mobility and flexibility.
   • Mesh LAN: In a mesh network, devices communicate directly with each other, forming a self-healing network. If one node fails, data can still flow through alternative paths.
   • Ad Hoc LAN: Ad hoc networks are temporary connections between devices, such as laptops or smartphones, without a central access point. They’re useful for quick file sharing or collaboration.

Remember that LANs play a crucial role in connecting devices within close proximity, enabling internet access and various applications.