Local Area Networks (LAN)By: Andrew Barfoot

History:

•LANs were developed in the 1960’s and in 1970 Lawrence Radiation Laboratory reported on the growth of their “Octopus” network.

•Evolution of LAN occurred with the introduction of TCP/IP between 1973 and 1974, and replaced use of IPX, AppleTalk, and NBF.

LAN vs. WAN• High Data Transfer Rates

(DTR).• Cover small areas such as

a household or a school.• Do not require leased

telecommunication lines.

• Low cost.• Cover wider areas such as

businesses and governments.

• Higher speed in the multiple gigabits range.

Technological differences:

•Different types of LAN connections include:

•Topology: Where the LAN is located, and how, such as in a ring or straight line.

•Protocol: Depending on the rules and specifications of encoding for sending data or deciding whether the LAN is using “Peer-to-Peer” or “Client/server Architechture”.

Network Administrator:

•Network administrators are responsible for the upkeep of a local area network in any geometrical area.

10Base5

•10Base5 was the original method of LAN connectivity via ethernet. To the right is a diagram of a LAN connection with use of 10Base5.

References:

•http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_area_network

•http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAN_party•http://

www.webopedia.com/TERM/L/local_area_network_LAN.html

•http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/L/lan_network_administrator.html

•http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TCP/IP•http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10BASE5