Local area networks

A Local area network (LAN) usually meets three conditions:
  1. Proximity: a LAN is usually confined to a small area, perhaps a house, office, office building, or campus.
  2. Ownership: the organization that uses a LAN typically owns and operates the equipment and links (radio and cables).
  3. Communication protocols: information is transmitted data link layer protocols like Ethernet.
Note that there are gray areas. Consider for example, proximity. When the Ethernet LAN standard was first formulated, cable lengths were limited to 100 meters. Today, Ethernet links that cross metropolitan areas, creating a metropolitan area network (MAN) are common.

A LAN may be contrasted to a wide area network (WAN) which typically covers a larger area, uses an internet layer protocol to route packets between networks, and is often, though not always, operated by an organization which sells service to others.

At the other extreme, you many hear of a personal area network (WPAN) in which links are confined to very short distances, for example a wireless link between a printer and computer or between a headset and a cell phone or PDA.

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