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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →A local area network (LAN) connects devices within a limited physical area, such as a home, office, school, or building. A LAN may use wired connections, wireless connections, or both, and it can also connect to the internet or other networks.
What does LAN stand for?
LAN stands for local area network. “Local” describes the network’s geographic scope: it serves devices in a limited site rather than spanning a large region. Cisco describes a LAN as devices connected in one physical location, such as a building, office, or home. Cisco’s LAN definition offers a plain-language explanation.
What makes a network a LAN?
The defining feature is its limited physical area, not a particular number of devices, a specific connection technology, or a fixed distance. The IETF’s RFC 1812 says LANs normally cover a small geographical area, such as a single building or plant site. That describes typical scope; it does not set a universal distance cutoff.
An older IETF glossary, RFC 1392 (1993), described a LAN as covering “a few square kilometers or less.” Treat that figure as historical wording, not a strict modern rule for deciding whether a network is a LAN.
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How does a LAN connect devices?
A LAN may use Ethernet cabling, Wi-Fi, or a combination of the two. Depending on the setup, its components can include cables, wireless access points, switches, and routers. These devices provide ways for computers, phones, printers, and other equipment to communicate; no single component list is required for every LAN. Cisco outlines these common LAN components.
What do people use a LAN for?
Devices on a LAN can communicate locally and use shared resources. Common uses include:
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- Sharing files between devices.
- Sending documents to a shared printer.
- Using a shared internet connection.
- Accessing services available within an organization or home network.
These are common examples, not requirements. A LAN does not stop being a LAN when it has a connection to the internet or to another network.
How is a LAN different from a MAN or WAN?
The useful distinction is geographic scope. A LAN serves a limited site; a metropolitan area network (MAN) or wide area network (WAN) covers a larger area. MANs and WANs can connect multiple LANs. There is no single distance boundary in the cited current descriptions that separates these network types.
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What is a VLAN?
A virtual LAN (VLAN) is a way to group or separate network nodes logically, without requiring a major change to the physical infrastructure. “Virtual” refers to this logical organization; it does not mean the network has no physical equipment or connections. The IETF’s RFC 3069 discusses VLANs as a logical grouping concept.
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- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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