A local area network is a computer network that inter connects a group of computers in a close proximity to each other,such as in an office building, a college or a home. It is a useful technique for sharing resources like files, documents, games, printers and other applications. Most LAN’s are confined beneath a single building or buildings, however, one LAN can be connected to other LAN over any distance through telephone lines or radio waves. This interconnected network is called as WAN (Wide Area Network).
Each node (individual unit) in a LAN has comprised of its own CPU through which it executes the program, and also access any device connected to it.Users can also use LAN to communicate with each other by sending emails or engaging themselves in chat session.LAN’s are capable of sending data at very fast speed, much faster rate than the data can be transmitted over a telephone line.