Local area network

A local area network (LAN) is a computer network layer a small geographic area, like a home, office, or group of buildings.Current LANs are most probable to be based on switched IEEE 802.3 Ethernet technology, running at 10, 100, 1,000 or 10,000 Mbit/s, or on IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi technology. Every node or computer in the LAN has its own computing power but it can also access extra devices on the LAN subject to the permissions it has been permitted. These could include data, processing power, and the capability to communicate or chat with other users in the network.

The defining characteristics of LANs, in difference to Wide area networks (WANs), comprise their much higher data transfer rates, lesser geographic range, and lack of a need for leased telecommunication lines.