networking

• LAN


  Local Area Network
• LAN


  • Covers a small geographical area located on a single site
  • All the hardware is owned by the organisation that uses it
  • Can be wired (e.g. Ethernet) or wireless (e.g. Wi-Fi)
  • Found in businesses, schools, universities, and homes
• Sharing files on a LAN

  Network users can access the same files, work collaboratively on them (at the same time), and copy files between machines
• Why use a LAN


  • Share the same hardware (like printers)
  • Share the Internet connection between devices
  • Install and update software on all computers at once
  • Communicate with LAN users cheaply and easily (e.g. instant messaging)
  • Store user accounts centrally so users can log in from any device
• Network Interface Controller (NIC)


  Internal piece of hardware that allows a device to connect to a network
• Switch


  Connects devices on a LAN, receives data (frames) from one device and transmits to the device with the correct MAC address
• Router


  Responsible for transmitting data (packets) between networks, always connected to at least two different networks, crucial role on the Internet directing data to their destination
• Routers are used in homes and offices to connect the LAN to the Internet
• Most home 'routers' are in fact a router, switch and WAP all-in-one