What type of network does LAN refer to?

A Local Area Network, or LAN, is a network that is typically confined to a small geographic area, such as a single building or a group of nearby buildings. This type of network enables computers and devices within that limited area to communicate with one another, share resources like printers and files, and access the internet through a common connection.

The term "local" emphasizes the restricted scope of the network, as opposed to broader network types such as wide area networks (WANs) that span large distances, metropolitan area networks (MANs) designed to cover a city or a large campus, and campus area networks (CANs) that link multiple buildings together on a larger scale than a LAN but still within a localized region. The focused nature of LANs often results in high-speed data transfer and reduced latency compared to these other network types, making them ideal for homes, schools, and smaller businesses.

Understanding the definition and characteristics of a Local Area Network is essential for recognizing how networking supports communication and resource sharing in various organizational settings.