SOLUTION

Local Area Network

A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and associated devices that share a common communication line and typically share the resources of a single processor or server within a small geographic area (for example, within an office building). Usually, the server has applications and data storage that are shared in common by multiple computer users. A local area network may serve as few as two or three users (for example, in a home network) or may as thousands of users.

Features of Local Area Network

• Inexpensive transmission media;
• Inexpensive devices(modems, repeaters, and transceivers) to interface to the media;
• The easy physical connection of devices to the media;
• High data transmission rates;
• Network data transmission is independent of the rates used by the attached devices, making it easier for devices of one-speed information to devices of another speed.
• A high degree of interconnection between devices;
• Every attached device has the potential to communicate with every other device on the network;
• There is seldom a central controlling processor which polls the attached devices on the network;
• In the majority of cases, each attached device hears (but does not process) messages intended for other devices as well as for itself.