Computer networks are fundamentally categorized in accordance
with their usage and the distance they cover. Different types of computer
networks are given below:
1. LAN - Local Area Network
2. WAN - Wide Area Network
3. MAN - Metropolitan Area Network
4. PAN - Personal Area Network
We have discussed all these types of computer network one by one in our next articles; read: What is Wide Area Network – WAN?, What is Metropolitan Area Network – MAN? and PAN - Personal Area Network. However for current article; we have chosen Local Area Network (LAN) to go through. Before we explore more
interesting facts about LAN, let’s
begin with the brief Introduction:
1. LAN - Local Area Network
It is one of the most well known computer networks that connect
multiple computers in a small area i.e. the area could be a small building; a room;
or a particular department possessing more than one computer to be connected
over the network.
In a Local Area Network;
each connected computer is considered as a node and these nodes are connected
through the network using physical wires. However wireless LAN is also used
that uses no physical wire.
Data transmission rate in Local Area Network is very fast
i.e. the transmission speed is typically 10 Mbps to 1000 Mbps which is much faster than the transmission over telephone line. Thus data sharing and
transmission over a Local Area Network is quite efficient and convenient.
Example of Local Area Network
Examples always help understanding or idealizing the
necessary facts. LAN setup can be determined by following two examples.
Example 1: You have certainly seen computer labs
in your schools where about 40 to 50 computers have been connected through a
network. The network used there is a Local Area Network so that the students
can share software, important files and other useful resources while using
different computers.
Example 2: An Internet Club which is consisted
of many computers; can connect these computers through LAN. Thus a single
connection of Internet is shared by all the computers saving a lot of money instead
of getting separate Internet connection for every computer there.
Advantages of connecting computers to a Local Area Network
Lots of advantages are there we can achieve from a Local
Area Network, however we have described a few advantages of LAN network below:
- Resource sharing in LAN
One of the most appreciable advantages of this type of computer network is resource sharing so that expensive hardware devices can be shared
by several computers at a particular department or building. Many business
organizations and educational institutions are setting up a Local Area Network especially for achieving
this benefit.
- Communication through
LAN
Basically; what is LAN used for? Like all other networks,
LAN is also established and installed for communication purposes. However, the
communication range of this type of computer network is not as vast as that of
WAN. Large organizations and offices require individual computers to
communicate with each other; placed in their departments or buildings. Thus
communicating, the employees can share data and information and can also
transfer notifications to several computers at a time without facing any
inconvenience. For a particular institution to work successfully; communication
among the workers or employers is essential component. Thus every organization
needs to establish a reliable network
so that the employers working together can share their ideas with each other.
- Sharing of application in
LAN
It might be very costly to buy a separate licensed copy of
same software of each computer. Instead a lot of money can be saved if
different computers at a particular place can share software connecting
over a reliable Local Area Network. In this way; the costly software
applications can be shared by different computers in order to maintain the
budget.
- Centralized IT Admin
Several computers connected through LAN are managed by a server.
IT administrator can remotely troubleshoot the problems on computers across the
network.
- Internet Access Sharing using
LAN
Connecting individual computers over Internet is very
expensive however; a less costly and efficient strategy can be used by connecting
multiple computers over network to share the Internet connection.
- LAN provides data security
and management
User's official documents can be managed and secured
adequately using LAN. It becomes terrible managing the information scattered
among different computers but it's no more a big deal when the data is
centralized on shared servers through LAN. Everyone can find the data easily.
Disadvantages of Local Area Network
Some of the factors make this type of computer network quite unfavorable for the users. Some
people resist using LAN just because of the following disadvantages:
- LAN Privacy Threat
This type of network is utilized by various organizations to
connect the computers in a particular building or office. This connection may
cause privacy threat. In case the network administrator access personal files
of users; the data can be controlled illegally.
- LAN is expensive to install
Generally, LAN is setup to manage budget by sharing expensive
resources and software applications. However; initial cost of installation of a
Local Area Network might be very high. The cables, network cards and software
are costly. Moreover service of a technician is required for installation purposes
as well.
- Admin Time is Required
The appropriate maintenance of network requires time as well
as expertise. For that purpose; a network administrator may be required to
manage network accurately.
- Data security concerns in LAN
LAN can put critical data on risk if the data is not secured
properly. The unauthorized users can access important data and damage it.
