LAN: local networksLocal networks, also called LANs, have played an important role in the industrialization of computers. Over the last 20 years or so, global industry has been invaded by new information technologies. It has had such an impact on the way we do business that it has become essential with an ever-increasing need for improvement. LANs give an employer the ability to share information between computers with a simple, relatively inexpensive system of network cards and software. It also allows the user or users to share hardware such as printers and scanners. The access speed between computers is very high because the data has a short distance to cover. In most cases a LAN only occupies one or more buildings located next to each other. For needs of larger areas there are many other types of networks such as the Internet. LAN systems can be defined and connected in many different ways. This is the reason for standardization so that everyone can have common ground to start from. “The LANs described here differ from other types of data networks in that they are optimized for a moderately sized geographic area such as a single office building, warehouse, or campus. The IEEE 802 LAN is a shared media peer-to-peer communications network that transmits information for all stations to receive. As a result, it does not inherently guarantee privacy. The LAN allows stations to communicate directly point-to-point using a common physical medium without the need for any intermediate switching node. There is always a need for an access sublayer to arbitrate access to the shared medium. The network is generally owned, operated, and operated by a single organization. This is in contrast to Wide Area Networks (WANs) which connect communication facilities in different parts of a country or are used as public services. These LANs are also different from networks, such as backplane buses, which are optimized for interconnecting devices on a desktop or components within a single appliance." (IEEE 802 Standard 1990) This is the standard definition for LANs by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Committee 802. They are the committee used to establish standards of workmanship and operations for technicians who configure and perform maintenance on LAN systems. And through all the technical words what they are trying to say is that a LAN is a small network that distributes information between computers in a small working environment unlike WANs which distribute information over global areas.