What is a LAN?

LAN, does it mean Linguistic Analog Numeration?…Logistically Annotated Nomenclature?…Landing Around Noon? What the heck does LAN (that's LAN not LAND, even though many pronounce it that way) mean? LAN is an acronym that stands for Local Area Network. It is a communications network used by a single organization or group, over a limited distance that permits users to share information and resources.

If you think of a local area network as a spider web, the LAN would be sitting in the middle of the web and individual workstations would be spread out over the web. Just as a spider sitting on its web can detect movement as a signal to respond and take action, signals can be sent to and from the workstations and from workstation to workstation through the LAN connection. This information can be shared whether the workstations and LAN are hard wire connected or wireless connected. A LAN, even a wireless one, is only accessible to individuals preauthorized to use the system.

With a LAN, an organization has a choice of putting information on individual workstations or on the large hard drive of the LAN also called a file server. The file server or LAN is a large hard drive very much like the one inside the workstation PC. A LAN allows for a centralized storage location for applications (programs) and information and frees up space on the workstation PC so the workstation can run faster and more efficiently. It allows large organizations to purchase software as a single hard copy with multiple site licenses, rather than having to purchase and install software for every individual machine.

As a LAN user, you are able to:

· Share files across different workstations,
· share printers and faxes, and
· select and use software from the LAN server that is not loaded on your PC workstation.

The organization can use the LAN to:

· Ensure sensitive data is controlled and protected,
· monitor workstation activities, and
· easily update software from a central location.

For those who work inside large organizations, the warning box with the words "Contact Your LAN Administrator" is familiar. Large organizations have at least one, if not more individuals who manage, monitor and maintain the central LAN server. The LAN administrator is usually the individual you must contact when your password has expired or must be reset. These individuals have control over workstation access, security settings and access to program and information files.

Every keystroke on your machine can be recorded over a LAN connection, so watch what you type and stay off those forbidden websites, while at work. The boss could be watching.