What is LAN? The network simply explained

Colloquially, LAN is often used to describe the connection of a PC with another PC or a network via cable. However, cable has only a limited connection to the term, because WLAN is also LAN. LAN stands for Local Area Network or Local (local) Network.

What exactly is a LAN?

We speak of a LAN as soon as the network does not exceed a certain size. In general, this refers to a building, a building complex, an apartment or a company. Beyond that go Metropolitan Area (city), Wide Area (country, several countries) and Global Area Networks (planet).

1. In a LAN, the cabling is usually done according to a certain topology. Very often a mixture of star and tree structure is used.
2. A normal LAN cable is used between smaller nodes, for example between router and PC. For larger networks between two routers can also be used a fiber optic cable.
3. WLAN means in this case "wireless LAN" to or German "wireless local area network". They connect thereby also with a LAN, but without using a cable. Mostly, a WLAN offers a worse transmission rate than a LAN.
4. A router can, unlike a switch, connect two networks with different protocols. In the process, the protocols are translated into the other protocol. Bei Ihnen Zuhause verbindet der Router meist WLAN, LAN und Internet (Wide Area Network).