What is a LAN? Understanding Local Area Networks

What is a LAN?

LAN refers to a group of computers or other devices connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, situated in a single physical location.

The most common example of a LAN can be found in your home. Your internet service provider provides you with a modem or a router. You then connect multiple devices like PC, smartphones, tablets, printers wirelessly or via a cable.

A local area network, or LAN, is established by the router which connects all your devices. Then, the router connects your LAN to the WAN, the Wide Area Network which your internet service provider provides.

LANs don’t have to be limited to a room – they can be relatively large and take up the entire building. However, it is more accurate to classify them as WANs or Wide Area Networks in such a scenario.

All the devices on a particular LAN get shared access to files over the same internet connection. A router creates an IP address for each device on the network and facilitates a shared internet connection.

You can connect various devices on a LAN network, including desktop computers, printers, IoT devices, laptops, gaming consoles. In companies, LANs are used by internal employees to gain shared access to printers and servers.