Local area network definition:
a computer network that spans a relatively small geographic area, typically within a single
building or a group of nearby buildings like an office, home, or school.
Purpose:
LANs are designed to facilitate communication and data sharing among devices such as
computers, printers, servers, and other networked equipment in close proximity to each
other.
Key points
1. Geographical Scope: LANs cover a small, localized area, typically within a single
building or a group of nearby buildings.
2. High Data Transfer Rates: LANs offer fast data transfer speeds, allowing quick sharing
of files and resources among connected devices.
3. Private Ownership: LANs are usually privately owned and managed by organizations
or individuals for their specific needs.
4. Topology: LANs can have various topologies, such as star, bus, ring, or mesh,
depending on the network's design.
LANs (Local Area Networks) use specific protocols and transmission methods to facilitate
data communication among devices within the network.
LAN Protocols:
1. Ethernet (IEEE 802.3): Common LAN protocol using frames for data transmission
over various physical media.
2. Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11): Wireless LAN protocol for connecting devices without physical
cables, with multiple standards for different data transfer rates.
3. Token Ring (IEEE 802.5): Legacy LAN protocol using token-passing for controlled
access, mostly replaced by Ethernet.
4. TCP/IP: Widely used network protocol suite for LAN and wider network
communication, forming the basis of the Internet.
LAN Transmission Methods:
1. Ethernet CSMA/CD: Traditional method with Carrier Sense Multiple Access and
Collision Detection, but mostly obsolete due to full-duplex Ethernet.
2. Ethernet CSMA/CA: Used in wireless LANs (Wi-Fi) with Carrier Sense Multiple Access
and Collision Avoidance to manage channel access and prevent collisions.
3. Token Passing: Utilized in Token Ring networks, where devices must wait for a token
to transmit data, ensuring collision-free communication.
4. Switching: Modern Ethernet LANs use switches to create dedicated communication
paths, forwarding data based on MAC addresses and eliminating collisions.
5. Wireless Communication: Wi-Fi LANs employ radio waves and contention-based
methods for wireless communication, avoiding interference and collisions in the
shared spectrum.
Assignment
Describe the purpose of a firewall in a LAN, and provide an example of a
situation where it might be necessary.(20mks)
