Local Area Network (LAN) is an internal network connection which interconnects and
makes it enable to share multiple PCs, Printing Devices and Internet together within a limited area with the help of a device called Switch / Hub.As an office and its work details with various departments are constantly shared, a mutually connecting solution will be required inside the office for sharing, transferring and thereby communicating the works. The Local Area Networking is a prime job demanded by most of the organizations as part of their IT Service requirements.
LAN set up initially requires the availability of Network Interface Card (NIC) in each computer which is going to be interconnected. The computers in the present era are having in-built cards with its mother board. Cabling to the specific area to connect with the group of computers is the next procedure. The Switch or Hub having multiple sharing points required to get plugged in to make ready for data accessing and transferring. The hub usually comes with 4, 8 or 16 ports. The Hub transmits data to every device destination on the network with an increased data process whereas the Switch manages to reduce the unwanted processes. The network configuration from the control of your computer is the next step. Defining and assigning the IP address information includes in the normally procedures. Each Drive of your PC and the sharing option on its files and folders can be assigned manually from the settings. According to the users preferences, password protection option can also be decided while doing the pc sharing through LAN.
The ultimate benefit of LAN setup is mainly about the file sharing between multiple PCs. A local access to another PC in the distance is made so simple by just over a mouse click to the end users. Another advantage is that Internet sharing through LAN is possible which removes the disadvantage of multiple Internet connections separately to each computer from one or more service providers.The print sharing is again having a plus point that a single printer is connected for many users to print their documents.
The speed rate of data transmission is made so remarkable with the LANs than the usual phone lines.The limitation is also applicable with the restriction of computers subjected to particular LAN connection inside an office. Contrary to the wired network, the most modern type of LAN is in the form of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) which eliminates the cabling needs for the connectivity.The mobility and the less complexity in the installation make the WLAN favorable to the modern offices. As the work and efficiency are typically depending on the accessibility and sharing of information to anyone, the networking like LAN and WLAN are more justified in this era of technological revolution.