Local Area Network

Local Area Network is a computer network that connect some computers in limited area, such as office, school, building, apartment, laboratory, etc.

Four major LAN components:

1.     Personal Computer (PC)/Workstations and Server

2.     Network Interface Card (NIC)

3.     Cables and and connectors

4.     Hub

There are two types of LAN:

1.     Client/Server LANs

Connection between two or more computers in a database with a central server

2.     Peer-to-Peer LANs

3.     Connection between two or more computers in a database without a central server

LAN’s Advantage

1.     Data Security

Because the data of all networks are stored in server computer and the number of the computers that are connected are limited, so the data will be more secure.

2.     Internet Sharing

Provides us facility to share single internet connection to all connected computers

3.     Easy and Cheap Communication

We can easily share our data or message to all computers connected to the network

LAN’s Disadvantage

1.     Cost

Because of the server need special software, the set-up cost is expensive

2.     LAN Maintenance

Requires LAN administrator to maintain some problems that might occurred in the future

3.     Privacy Violation

Because all computers that are connected to the LAN can be check by LAN administrator, so, the LAN Administrator can check all of the data in LAN users’ computers