Networking options - Local area networks (LANs)
There are two basic approaches to networking using local area networks (LANs).
Peer-to-Peer
The simplest is a peer-to-peer or ad hoc network, where two computers nearby are connected to each other by cable, wireless or infra-red technology. This is relatively cheap and straightforward, and it allows the computers to share files, programs and attached hardware such as printers. However, it is limited to linking just two devices, and is therefore only useful in very small business applications.
Where more than two devices need to be networked, a LAN infrastructure will be needed. This may also allow those devices to connect to wide area networks (WANs) and communicate with other locations.
LAN technologies
LAN technologies are of two basic kinds - those that use copper or fibre-optic cables to connect devices together, and those that use wireless signals. In both cases, devices attach to the network by connecting to some kind of hub. These are known as switches or bridges in cable-based networks, and wireless access points (WAPs) in wireless networks.
Hubs can typically interconnect at least four devices, and as many as several hundred, depending on their complexity and cost. In LANs where a single hub is insufficient to achieve the coverage needed several hubs can be interconnected, again using either cable or wireless.
Both cable and wireless LANs can offer a wide range of data transmission rates, from around 10Mbps to 10Gbps or more for cable and 2Mbps to 54Mbps or more for wireless, (IEEE 802 Standards). The choice of rates will depend on the number of devices attached to the LAN and the volume and type of data that they need to exchange.
By far the most common LAN technologies in use today are Ethernet (IEEE Standard 802.3), used for cable-based LANs, and wireless fidelity or Wi-Fi (IEEE Standard 802.11), used for wireless LANs.
