Networking is the heart and backbone of all information sharing and internet activities of organisations today. It drives and facilitates business communication and other key functions. With a well-designed and configured business network, your business can run as effectively, efficiently, securely and productively as possible. There are two main types of networks – LAN and WAN. What is the difference between LAN and WAN? And how can your organisation benefit from either or both of these networks? This article details the key aspects of both networks and how they can improve the running of your organisation.
Let’s start from the basics,
What is a Network?
A network is any group of computers (workstations or servers) and devices like printers and smartphones that are connected and can communicate with each other. As mentioned earlier, there are two main types of networks i.e. LAN and WAN. LAN is short for local area networks while WAN is short for wide area networks.
Local Area Network (LAN)
LAN, local area network is a group of computers and other network devices such as printers, servers and laptops connected within the same geographic location. LANs are typically found in offices, schools or other establishments and operate within the same building or the same floor of an office building.
LAN Setup
A basic LAN is created by connecting computers and other network devices using Ethernet cables or Wi-Fi through a network switch. Each computer and network equipment is assigned a unique IP address either manually or automatically through a service called DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). Most LANs comprise of a network switch and a network router either on the same device in a small LAN like a small office network or different devices like in an enterprise LAN network. Additionally, most modern routers have Ethernet ports or switch ports together with Wi-Fi capabilities hence the term WLAN (Wireless LAN) which falls in the LAN category.
Devices on the same LAN can see each other on the network and connect through various protocols for file transfer with or without encryption, connect to a remote command line or for Microsoft Remote Desktop etc. LANs also serve as the gateway to the internet for local devices through a centralised device such as a router through which internet traffic is sent and received.
LANs can be configured in many different ways depending on need including limiting and managing access to shared resources over the network among local users. These considerations carry a cost and security implication with security taking priority in today’s world of cybercrime.
AdEPT Technology Group plc is one of the UK’s leading COMMS integrators providing best of breed solutions from every UK network.
