Changes

A '''local area network''' ('''LAN''') is a [[computer network]] covering a local area, like a home, office, or group of buildings. Current LANs are most likely to be based on switched [[IEEE 802.3]] [[Ethernet]] running at 10, 100 or 1,000 [[Megabit per second|Mbit/s]] or on [[Wi-Fi]] technology .  

A '''local area network''' ('''LAN''') is a computer [[network]] covering a local area, like a home, office, or group of buildings. Current LANs are most likely to be based on switched [[IEEE 802.3]] [[Ethernet]] running at 10, 100 or 1,000 [[Megabit per second|Mbit/s]], or on [[Wi-Fi]] technology.  

The defining characteristics of LANs in contrast to [[Wide area network|WAN]]s (wide area networks) are: their much higher data rates, smaller geographic range, and that they do not require leased telecommunication lines.

The defining characteristics of LANs in contrast to [[Wide area network|WAN]]s (wide area networks) are their much smaller geographic ranges, higher throughput, and their independence of leased telecommunication lines.

==Technical aspects==

==Technical aspects==

Although switched Ethernet is now most common at the [[physical layer|physical]] and [[data link layer|data link]] layers, and [[TCP/IP]] as a [[Communications protocol|protocol]], historically many different options have been used (see below), and some continue to be popular in niche areas.  Larger LANs may have redundant links, and [[router]]s or switches capable of using [[spanning tree protocol]] and similar techniques to recover from failed links. LANs may have connections to other LANs via routers and leased lines to create a WAN ([[Wide Area Network]]). Most will also have connections to the large public network known as the [[Internet]], and links to other LANs can be 'tunnelled' across this using [[VPN]] technologies.

Although switched Ethernet is now most common at the [[physical layer|physical]] and [[data link layer|data link]] layers, and [[TCP/IP]] as a [[Communications protocol|protocol]], historically many different options have been used (see below), and some continue to be popular in niche areas.  Larger LANs may have redundant links, and [[router]]s or switches capable of using [[spanning tree protocol]] and similar techniques to recover from failed links. LANs may have connections to other LANs via routers and leased lines to create a WAN ([[Wide Area Network]]). Most will also have connections to the large public network known as the [[Internet]], and links to other LANs can be 'tunneled' across this using [[VPN]] technologies.

==History==

==History==

== See also ==

== See also ==

*[[Metropolitan Area Network|MAN]]

*[[Metropolitan Area Network|MAN]]

[[Category:Telecommunications]]

[[Category:Telecommunications]]