The LAN Networks or Local Area Network , is a type of network used for local communications as the name implies. It works by interconnecting nodes and using wireless cables or media.
The connection is limited by physical means, these can be a building, floor or some room. This type of network allows the transfer of data at high speeds, which will only be available for those users connected to said internal network.
To learn more about them, in this article you can see more details what is a LAN? The types that exist and the uses that exist.
Index:
What is a Local Area Network and what is it for in computing?
It is a computer network that has a limited scope for a reduced and specific physical space as mentioned above. These work through the interconnection of nodes, cables and wireless media, which allow the network to be used to communicate locally with other devices.
From this Local Area Network a large amount of data can be sent at high speeds, from 10Mb / s to 10Gb / S (only in theory). This is because it is physically limited access to it, so it is only allowed for all those devices connected to it, which allows the data and elements that are in it to be more secure.
What uses does a LAN Network have in computing?
In computing they have different uses, which are aimed at something specific. They are mainly implemented in companies and universities. Among the different uses we can name:
- Security: is the main reason why this type of connection is used, since in LAN networks the devices are only connected to each other, therefore, external threats cannot enter to the network.
- Speed: contains a high file transfer speed, allowing information to be sent and received quickly.
- Simplify the job: In work areas it is not necessary for each user to have a printer, to print important jobs or documents. Which means that you can have a printer connected only in a local area network, which is available to all users of the same.
- File sharing: You can create a shared storage space between all devices that are connected in the local network, which makes it unnecessary to send a file to different people. Well, just by telling the interested parties that it is in the shared storage, they can log in to view it.
- In games: in the world of videogames use this type of connection , mainly in events or championships of great importance, helps that the latency (slowness of the network), is null or very low in order to prevent any player from being disadvantaged.
What types of local networks exist?
There are three types, each of which varies in cost, data transmission speed and wiring difficulty, among them the following can be mentioned:
- Hybrid LAN Network: is a combined network consisting of the combination between a wired connection and a wireless connection. These types of networks can be implemented to facilitate the stability and versatility of each network.
With this type you can eliminate all the disadvantages of both a wireless network and a wired network.
- Wired Network: is a type of network where each of the computers and other peripherals that will belong to it are connected by cables.
- WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network): allows communication and data transfer wirelessly. It is widely used as an alternative to wired local area networks and can be used as an extension for them, which would make them a hybrid connection.
Its advantage is that allows you to reach difficult places for wiring, which favors saving money on it . However, its speed does not match a wired connection.
- VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) : is a method used to create logically independent networks within the same physical network. There may be several VLANs on a single physical switch or on a single physical connection, without problems. As these generate a reduction of latency in the network, they are easy to set up work groups and allows more private networks, where only the indicated people will participate.
Components of a LAN network What do you need to create one?
There are a number of different components that are necessary for the proper functioning of such a network. Fundamental also so that you can provide a stable service without generating problems for users.
The elements required for the creation of a local connection are the following:
- Server : is that or those computers that are used to share their resources ; hardware and software, with all other computers on the network. Its main features are the power of calculation, the amount of information it stores and the connection with the resources to be shared.
- Workstation : the computers that take the role of workstations take advantage of all the resources offered by the network , as well as the services provided by the servers they can access.
- Gateway or gateways : are a type of hardware and software that allows communications between the local network and large computers (Mainframe). The Gateway adapts each of the Mainframe communication protocols (X25, SNA, etc.) to those of the network and vice versa.
- Bridge or bridges: This is a type of hardware and software that allows two local networks to connect to each other.
- Network card: They are also known as NIC (Network Interface Card). It performs the function of intermediary between the computer and the communication network. The network communication protocols are stored in it. Although today there are more devices that have this adapter integrated directly into their motherboard.
- The medium : is formed by the wiring and connectors that are linked to the components of the network. The most used physical means are; twisted pair cable, cable pair, coaxial cable and fiber optic cable (the latter is the most used, both for its low cost and for the high speed of data transmission it manages to provide).
- Wiring concentrators: allows you to make the connections of the stations at a single point, the concentrator, which works as a single device that is responsible for centralizing the connections, keeping luminous indicators of their state and preventing that some failure is generated or that there is a drop in the network connection.