A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that connects computers and devices within a limited geographical area, such as a home, office, or campus, using wired (Ethernet) or wireless (Wi-Fi) communication.

Elaboration:

LANs allow fast communication and resource sharing (files, printers, internet access) among connected devices. They have:

• Low latency due to short distances.
• High-speed data transfer (1 Gbps or more).
• Private ownership, typically managed by a company or home user.

Example:

A school’s computer lab, where computers, printers, and servers are connected to share educational resources.

LANs are the backbone of enterprise IT infrastructure and serve as the foundation for larger networks like WANs.