How Does A Local Area Network (LAN) Work ?

Local Area Network

How does a Local Area Network (LAN) work?

A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and associated devices that share a common communications line or wireless link and typically share the resources of a single processor or server within a small geographic area (for example, within an office building). Usually, the server has applications and data storage that are shared in common by multiple computer users. A local area network may serve as few as two or three users (for example, in a home network) or as many as thousands of users (for example, in an FDDI network).

Local area networks, generally called LANs, are privately-owned networks. They provide a useful way of sharing resources between end users. The resources such as printers, file servers, scanners, and internet are easily shareable among other connected computers in a network.

LANs are distinguished from other kinds of networks by three characteristics:

Their transmission technology
Their size
Their topology

Major local area network technologies are

Ethernet
Token Ring
FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface)
Ethernet is by far the most commonly used LAN technology. A number of corporations use the Token Ring technology. FDDI is sometimes used as a backbone LAN interconnecting Ethernet or Token Ring LANs. Another LAN technology, ARCNET, once the most commonly installed LAN technology, is still used in the industrial automation industry.
Typically, a suite of application programs can be kept on the LAN server. Users who need an application frequently can download it once and then run it from their local hard disk. Users can order printing and other services as needed through applications run on the LAN server. A user can share files with others at the LAN server; read and write access is maintained by a LAN administrator. A LAN server may also be used as a Web server if safeguards are taken to secure internal applications and data from outside access.
In some situations, a wireless LAN may be preferable to a wired LAN because it is cheaper to install and maintain.
LAN TOPOLOGIES Bus Ring Star
BUS TOPOLOGY Ethernet, is the best example of a network protocol used to connect multiple computers and used by the Internet. It operates at speeds up to 1 Gb/s by using a protocol based on carrier-sense multiple access (CSMA) with collision detection. Successful when coaxial cables are used for the bus , but difﬁculties arise when optical ﬁbers are used. Limitation: Losses occurring at each tap, which limits the number of users.
RING TOPOLOGY Consecutive nodes are joined by point-to-point links in closed loop Data transmitted in frames Medium access control is needed to determine when station can insert frame using a token. The use of ring topology for ﬁber-optic LANs has been commercialized with the standardized interface known as the ﬁber distributed data interface(FDDI). It operates at100Mbps by using multimode fiber and 1.3µm transmitters based on light-emitting diodes(LEDs). It is designed to provide backbone services such as the interconnection of lower-speed LANs or mainframe computers.
FDDI (FIBER DISTRIBUTED DATA INTERFACE) Standard for data transmission on fiber optic lines in a LAN that can extend in range up to 200 km (124 miles). Provide backbone services like the interconnection of lower-speed LANs or mainframe computers The FDDI protocol can support thousands of users. An FDDI network contains two token rings, one for possible backup in case the primary ring fails. The primary ring offers up to 100 Mbps capacity. If the secondary ring is not needed for backup, it can also carry data, extending
STAR TOPOLOGY Each station connected directly to central node Central node can broadcast (hub) Central node can act as frame switch retransmits only to destination today’s technology Classified as Active and Passive star networks: In active-star conﬁguration, incoming optical signals are converted to the electrical domain through optical receivers. In passive star conﬁguration, distribution takes place in the optical domain through devices

Characteristics of Local Area Network

• LANs are private owned-network, can be extended up to a few kilometers.

• LANs operate at relatively high speed as compared to the typical WAN

• It connects computers within a single office, building, block or campus, i.e. they work in a relatively small geographical area.

Advantages of LAN

1] Resource Sharing: LAN provides resource sharing such as computer resources like printers, scanners, modems, DVD-ROM drives, and hard disks can be shared within the connected devices. This reduces cost and hardware purchases.

2]Software Applications Sharing: In a Local Area Network, it is easy to use the same software in a number of computers connected to a network instead of purchasing the separately licensed software for each client a network.

3] Easy and Cheap Communication: Data and messages can easily be shared with the other computer connected to the network.

4] Centralized Data: The data of all network users can be stored on a hard disk of the central/server computer. This helps users to use any computer in a network to access the required data.

5] Data Security: Since data is stored on the server computer, it will be easy to manage data at only one place and the data will be more secure too.

6] Internet Sharing: Local Area Network provides the facility to share a single internet connection among all the LAN users. In school labs and internet Cafes, single internet connection is used to provide internet to all connected computers.

7] Resource Sharing: LAN provides resource sharing like PC resources like printers, scanners, modems, DVD-ROM drives, and Hard disks will be shared at intervals on the connected devices. This reduces value and hardware purchases.

8] Software Applications Sharing: During a Local Area Network, it's straightforward to use identical packages during a variety of computers connected to a network rather than buying the severally commissioned packages for every shopper on the network.

9] Easy and low cost Communication: Information and messages will simply be shared with the opposite pc connected to the network.

10] Centralized Data: The information of all network users will be held on a tough disk of the central/server pc. This facilitates users to use any pc during a network to access the specified information.

11] Data Security: Since information is held on the server pc, it'll be straightforward to manage information at only 1 place and therefore the information is going to be safer too.

12] Internet Sharing: Local Area Network provides the ability to share one web affiliation among all the computer network users. In class labs and web Cafes, single web affiliation is employed to supply web to all or any connected computers.

Disadvantages of LAN

1] High Setup Cost: The initial setup costs of installing Local Area Networks is high because there is special software required to make a server. Also, communication devices like an ethernet cable, switches, hubs, routers, cables are costly.

2] Privacy Violations: The LAN administrator can see and check personal data files of each and every LAN user. Moreover, he can view the computer and internet history of the LAN user.

3] Data Security Threat: Unauthorised users can access important data of an office or campus if a server hard disk is not properly secured by the LAN administrator.

4] LAN Maintenance Job: Local Area Network requires a LAN Administrator because there are problems such as software installations, program faults or hardware failures or cable disturbances in Local Area Network. A LAN Administrator is required to maintain these issues.

5] Covers Limited Area: LANs are restricted in size; they cover a small area like a single office, single building or a group of nearby buildings.

Multi-DTH

Fiber to the Home

Fiber Optic Solution

Video Door Phone

Wi-Fi

Biometric

EPABX/Intercom

Structured Cabling

CCTV Surveillance

CATV

Switching and Routing

LAN / Fiber Cabling

Fiber Termination / Splicing & Testing

Annual Maintenance Contract(AMC)

CCTV Rental for Events

Fiber Optic Testing

Local Area Network