Group8_VintageBoys:How does LAN work

LAN: Local area network.
A local area network (LAN) supplies networking capability to a group of computers in close proximity to each other such as in an office building, a school, or a home.
LAN allows certain computers on the network to offer their resources such as printers, Hard disks, floppy, printers etc..for use by other computers on the network as if hey were their own.
The computer which provides resources are called as "SERVER" and the computer which uses is called as "WORKSTATIONS". If a computer works as a server and a workstation simultaneously it is called as peer and the network without dedicated server is called as peer-to-peer networks and in a dedicated server environment, its called a Client-Server based network.

How it works:
A LAN consists of two or more computers each equipped with a communication device called network interface or network adapter. Network interfaces are connected to one another by some type of communications medium, which provide pathway for electrical signals that connect all of the computers on the LAN. The most widely used, cost-effective and highest performance network medium in use today is twisted pair ETHERNET CABLE. The transfer of data, file access are controlled by an administrator
Relatively new technology called wireless ethernet uses radio signal instead of copper cables.

For ex: Assume two computers, say COMPUTER A and COMPUTER B are connected by a LAN newtork, Computer A contains a CD ROM and Computer B doesn't have CD ROM, B wil be able to access A's CD ROM through LAN.