Computer to Computer: Network Configurations

WAN

LAN

A LAN is a Local Area Network. This would include networks where the computers are relatively close together. So LANs would be within the same office, a single building, or several buildings close together. The graphic at the right shows two buildings with 4 departments connected as a LAN that uses 3 servers. A small LAN is often set up just to provide Internet access to all the computers in a small office or a home. Sharing a printer or scanner is also a good reason for a small LAN.

A WAN is a Wide Area Network, which would be all networks too large to be LANs. There doesn't seem to be a clear line between the two designations. A WAN would be most useful for large companies with offices or factories in widely separated areas, like Microsoft, IBM, Ford, AT&T, etc. The same advantages apply as for a LAN except that a WAN would not share an Internet connection. Often a WAN uses the Internet to connect with instead of dedicated cables between far distant computers. But you can still set up remote access for computers and hardware over a WAN.

There are a number of ways that computers can be connected together to form networks.

The pattern of connections depends in part on the distances involved since that determines what hardware must be used. It also depends on the degree of stability needed for the network. That is, how important is it that the whole system can't crash at the same time. These choices carry dollar costs, too. Better costs more, sometimes a LOT more.

Each device in the network, whether it's a computer, printer, scanner, or whatever, is called a node.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-23