Summary

Chapter 8: Fundamental Networks 7Describe a LANA local-area network (LAN) is a group of interconnected devices that is under the sameadministrative control, as shown in Figure 8-2. In the past, LANs were considered to besmall networks that existed in a single physical location. Although LANs can be as small asa single local network installed in a home or small office, over time, the definition of LANshas evolved to include interconnected local networks consisting of many hundreds ofdevices, installed in multiple buildings and locations.Figure 8-2Local-Area NetworkThe important thing to remember is that all the local networks within a LAN are under oneadministrative control group that governs the security and access control policies that are inforce on the network. In this context, the word “local” in local-area network refers to localconsistent control rather than being physically close to each other. Devices in a LAN maybe physically close, but this is not a requirement.Describe a WANWide-area networks (WAN) are networks that connect LANs in geographically separatedlocations, as shown in Figure 8-3. The most common example of a WAN is the Internet.The Internet is a large WAN that is composed of millions of interconnected LANs.Telecommunications service providers (TSP) are used to interconnect these LANs at differentlocations.