A Local Area Network covers a small geographic area. A home, an office, a school, or a building. It connects computers, printers, servers, and other devices. It allows them to share files, resources, and internet access. LANs are private. They are usually owned and managed by one organization.

LANs use Ethernet cables, Wi-Fi, or both. Ethernet is wired and reliable. Wi-Fi is wireless and convenient. Most LANs use a mix. A router connects the LAN to the internet. A switch connects devices within the LAN. The LAN is the local neighborhood. The internet is the world.

LAN characteristics

• Small area: one building or campus
• High speed: 1 Gbps or more
• Low cost: equipment is cheap
• Private: owned by one organization
• Managed: one admin controls it

LANs are the building blocks of the internet. Millions of LANs connect to form the global network. They are where most data is created and consumed. The LAN is the first network. The internet is the network of networks.