INTERNETWORKING

INTERNETWORKING

Abstract

A local area network (LAN) is a communication network that interconnects a variety of data communicating devices within a small geographic area and broadcasts data at high data transfer rates with very low error rates. Since the local area network first appeared in the 1970s, its use has become widespread in commercial and academic environments. It would be very difficult to imagine a collection of personal computers within a computing environment that does not employ some form of local area network. This chapter begins by discussing the basic layouts or topologies of the most commonly found local area networks, followed by the medium access control protocols that allow a workstation to transmit data on the network. We will then examine most of the common local area network products such as Ethernet and token ring.

Local Area Networks also called LANs have been a major player in industrialization of computers. In the past 20 or so years the worlds industry has be invaded with new computer technology. It has made such an impact on the way we do business that it has become essential with an ever growing need for improvement. LANs give an employer the ability to share information between computers with a simple relatively inexpensive system of network cards and software. It also lets the user or users share hardware such as Printers and scanners. The speed of access between the computers is lighting fast because the data has a short distance to cover. In most cases a LAN only occupies one or a group of buildings located next to each other. For larger area need there are several other types of networks such as the Internet.

LANs systems can be defined and connected in many different ways. This is the reason for the standardization for every one can have a common ground to start from. “The LANs described Herein are