View source for Local Area Network

A '''local area network''' ('''LAN''') is a [[computer network]] that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, school, laboratory, university campus or office building<ref>[http://www.webcitation.org/5tP07Xoec LAN]</ref> and has its [[network equipment]] and interconnects locally managed. By contrast, a [[wide area network]] (WAN), not only covers a larger geographic distance, but also generally involves [[Leased line|leased telecommunication circuits]] or [[Internet]] links.

[[Ethernet]] and [[Wi-Fi]] are the two most common transmission technologies in use for local area networks. Historical technologies include [[ARCNET]], [[Token ring]], and [[AppleTalk]].

== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Glossary]]