Local area network

A local area network (LAN) connects devices across a limited area, such as a home, office, or campus, enabling them to communicate and share resources.

Ethernet: A family of wired networking technologies that carries data over local networks. Ethernet is the most common wired method for linking devices in a LAN.
Router: A device that forwards packets between distinct IP networks. A home router commonly links the LAN to the internet and may also provide Wi-Fi.
Network-attached storage: A file-storage device that provides access to data over a network. A LAN lets multiple devices use shared files stored on one local appliance.
Wide area network: A network that connects devices or smaller networks across large geographic distances. A WAN spans far beyond the limited area characteristic of a LAN.
IEEE 802.3: The IEEE standards family specifying Ethernet physical-layer and data-link protocols. Its shared rules made Ethernet equipment from different manufacturers interoperable.
Wi-Fi: A family of wireless networking standards that connects devices through radio signals. Wi-Fi provides wireless access to a LAN without Ethernet cables.
Subnet: A logically divided portion of an IP network, defined by an address prefix. A LAN's devices are often grouped within one IP subnet.
Network printer: A printer that accepts print jobs from devices over a network connection. LAN connectivity lets several users share one printer.
Metropolitan area network: A network that connects sites across a city or metropolitan region. A MAN covers a broader geographic area than a typical LAN.
IEEE 802.11: The IEEE standards family for wireless local area networking, commonly known as Wi-Fi. Its standards enabled interoperable wireless LANs across devices and access points.

Linked from 12 pages