lähiverkoston

Lähiverkosto, often translated as local area network (LAN), is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, school, laboratory, university campus, or office building. A LAN is distinct from a wide area network (WAN), which covers a broad area, or a metropolitan area network (MAN), which covers a city. LANs provide fast communication between devices. They are typically owned, controlled, and managed by a single person or organization.

The primary purpose of a LAN is to allow devices to share resources. This can include sharing an internet connection, printers, files, and other peripherals. Devices on a LAN can communicate directly with each other without the need for an intermediary network. Common technologies used in LANs include Ethernet and Wi-Fi. Ethernet uses cables to connect devices, while Wi-Fi uses radio waves.

LANs can be set up in various configurations, such as a client-server model, where some computers act as servers providing resources to other client computers, or a peer-to-peer model, where all computers have equal capabilities. The size and complexity of a LAN can vary greatly, from a small home network with a few devices to a large corporate network spanning multiple floors of a building. Security is an important consideration for LANs, with measures often implemented to protect data and prevent unauthorized access.