What is a LAN?

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Local Area Network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building using network media. Early LAN cabling had always been based on various grades of coaxial cable.

Within a LAN, you can share data amongst many devices and keep it as a closed system. However, you can also access the Worldwide Web on your LAN by connecting your network's router to your broadband Internet modem (provided by your Internet service provider, or ISP).

Once your LAN is set up to access the Internet, you can network the devices in your home or business using one (or more) of several methods: wired (using Ethernet or powerline networking) or wireless (Wi-Fi).

Ethernet provides connectivity to you home or business LAN by simply plugging a cable into your computer. Today, Ethernet is available in two main flavors with the difference being data speed: Fast (with data transfer of up to 100 Megabits per second, or Mbps) and Gigabit (up to 1000 Mbps).

While, Wi-Fi encompasses a several variations in standards that differ in speed and range. You've probably seen these variations listed as their alpha-numeric standards names (such as 802.11a/b/g/n) or their shorthand names (such as Wireless-N).