LAN TECHNOLOGIES
Local Area Network
(LAN) technologies refer to the various methods and protocols used within a
limited geographical area, such as a single building, office, campus, etc..
LAN technologies
facilitate the sharing of resources such as files, printers, and internet
connections among multiple devices like computers, servers, printers, and other
networked devices.
Some common LAN
technologies are:
1. Ethernet:
Ethernet is the
most widely used LAN technology today.
It operates on the
physical and data link layers of the OSI model and uses a contention-based
access method known as Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection
(CSMA/CD).
Full-duplex or
half-duplex communication modes.
Carrier sense
multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) for shared media access.
Switched and
unswitched configurations.
Common standards
include:
10BASE-T: 10 Mbps
over twisted-pair cable (common in older homes and offices).
100BASE-TX: 100
Mbps over twisted-pair cable (widely used today).
Gigabit Ethernet:
1 Gbps over twisted-pair or fiber optic cable (increasingly popular).
10 Gigabit
Ethernet: 10 Gbps over fiber optic cable (high-performance applications).
Features:
2. Wi-Fi (Wireless
LAN):
Wi-Fi allows
devices to connect to a LAN wirelessly using radio waves. It's based on IEEE
802.11 standards and operates in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency
bands.
Wi-Fi provides
mobility and flexibility, allowing devices to connect to the network without
the need for physical cables.
The most popular
wireless LAN technology provides high-speed connectivity within limited
areas.
Operates at the
physical and data link layers of the OSI model, utilizing radio waves in the
2.4 GHz and 6 GHz bands.
Encryption and
security protocols for secure communication.
Different antenna
configurations for increased range and performance.
3. Token Ring:
Token Ring is an
older LAN technology that operates on a ring topology. It uses a token-passing
mechanism to regulate access to the network. Devices are arranged in a logical
ring, and a token is passed from one device to another to control access to the
shared medium. Token Ring operates at speeds of 4 Mbps and 16 Mbps.
4. Fiber
Distributed Data Interface (FDDI):
FDDI is a
high-speed LAN technology that uses Fiber-optic cables to transmit data. It
operates on a dual-ring topology for redundancy and fault tolerance. FDDI
supports data rates of up to 100 Mbps and is often used in backbone networks.
5. Ethernet over
Powerline (EOP):
EOP enables data
transmission over existing electrical wiring within a building, allowing for
LAN connectivity without the need for additional network cables. It's typically
used in situations where running Ethernet cables is impractical or expensive.
6. Bluetooth:
While primarily
used for short-range wireless communication between devices such as
smartphones, Bluetooth can also be used for creating small-scale LANs, commonly
referred to as Personal Area Networks (PANs), for tasks like file sharing or
connecting peripheral devices.
7. Home PNA (Home
Phone Networking Alliance):
Home PNA technology allows data communication over existing telephone lines
within a home or small office environment. It's primarily used for networking
devices such as computers, printers, and set-top boxes.
=============================================================
0 Comments