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   LAN (Local Area Network) Definition
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   {"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"DefinedTerm","name":"LAN","alternateName":"Local Area Network","description":"Stands for \"Local Area Network\" and is pronounced \"lan.\"  A LAN is a network of connected devices that exist within a specific location.  LANs may be found in homes, offices, educational institution, or other areas.","image":"https://techterms.com/img/lg/lan_79.jpg","url":"https://techterms.com/definition/lan"}
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href=/> Home </a><svg viewbox="0 0 9 14"xmlns=http://www.w3.org/2000/svg><path d="m0 14 9-7-9-7z"></path></svg><a href=/category/technical> Technical Terms </a><svg viewbox="0 0 9 14"xmlns=http://www.w3.org/2000/svg><path d="m0 14 9-7-9-7z"></path></svg> LAN Definition</div></header><h1>LAN</h1><div class=adDefRect><div id=div-gpt-ad-1589302365809-0></div></div><p>Stands for "Local Area Network" and is pronounced "lan." A LAN is a <a href=/definition/network> network </a> of connected devices that exist within a specific location. LANs may be found in homes, offices, educational institution, or other areas.<p>A LAN may be <a href=/definition/wired> wired </a> , <a href=/definition/wireless> wireless </a> , or a combination of the two. A standard wired LAN uses <a href=/definition/ethernet> Ethernet </a> to connect devices together. Wireless LANs are typically created using a <a href=/definition/wi-fi> Wi-Fi </a> signal. If a <a href=/definition/router> router </a> supports both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections, it can be used to create a LAN with both wired and wireless devices.<h3>Types of LANs</h3><p>Most residential LANs use a single router to create the network and manage all the connected devices. The router acts as the central connection point and enables devices, such as computers, <a href=/definition/tablet> tablets </a> , and <a href=/definition/smartphone> smartphones </a> to communicate with each other. Typically, the router is connected to a <a href=/definition/cable_modem> cable </a> or <a href=/definition/dsl> DSL </a> modem, which provides Internet access to connected devices.<p>A <a href=/definition/computer> computer </a> may also be the central access point of a LAN. In this setup, the computer acts as a <a href=/definition/server> server </a> , providing connected machines with access to files and programs located on the server. It also includes LAN software used to manage the network and connected devices. LAN servers are more common in business and educational networks, since the extra capabilities are not required by most home users. In a server-based LAN, devices may connect directly to the server or indirectly via a router or <a href=/definition/switch> switch </a> .<p><b> NOTE: </b> Multiple LANs may be combined to create a larger LAN. This type of network, which can customized to include specific devices from various networks, is called a virtual LAN or <a href=/definition/vlan> VLAN </a> .<div class=adBotLB><div id=div-gpt-ad-1589236206757-0></div></div><footer class=cardfooter><div class=upDate>Updated December 29, 2016</div><div id=citations><div class=tabs><div aria-label=citations role=tablist><button aria-controls=apa aria-selected=false role=tab tabindex=-1>APA</button><button aria-controls=mla aria-selected=false role=tab tabindex=-1>MLA</button><button aria-controls=chicago aria-selected=false role=tab tabindex=-1>Chicago</button><button aria-controls=html aria-selected=false role=tab tabindex=-1>HTML</button><button aria-controls=link aria-selected=false role=tab tabindex=-1>Link</button></div><div class=citation hidden id=apa role=tabpanel></div><div class=citation hidden id=mla role=tabpanel></div><div class=citation hidden id=chicago role=tabpanel></div><div class=citation hidden id=html role=tabpanel></div><div class=citation hidden id=link role=tabpanel><div>https://techterms.com/definition/lan</div></div></div></div></footer></div></article><div class="techterms card"><h2 class=heading>Definitions by TechTerms.com</h2><p>The definition of LAN on this page is an original TechTerms.com definition. If you would like to reference this page or cite this definition, you can use the green citation links above.<p>The goal of TechTerms.com is to explain computer terminology in a way that is easy to understand. We strive for simplicity and accuracy with every definition we publish. If you have feedback about the LAN definition or would like to suggest a new technical term, please <a href=/contact> contact us </a> .<p>Want to learn more tech terms? Subscribe to the daily or weekly newsletter and get featured terms and quizzes delivered to your inbox.<p><button class=btnprimary id=ttn_open>Subscribe</button></div></div><div id=right><div class=prevnext><a href=lamp> <span class=arrow> ‹ </span>   <span class=linktext> LAMP </span> </a><span>  |  </span><a href=landing_page> <span class=linktext> Landing Page </span>   <span class=arrow> › </span> </a></div><div class="tf card"><h2 class=heading>Tech Factor</h2><a title="What is the Tech Factor?"class=info href=/help/tech_factor> ? </a><a href=/techfactor/6> <span class=factor> 6 </span> <span class=denom> / 10 </span> </a></div><div class="listBox card related"><h2 class=heading>Related Terms</h2><div class=rlists><ol><li><a href=/definition/network> Network </a><li><a href=/definition/wired> Wired </a><li><a href=/definition/wireless> Wireless </a><li><a href=/definition/wan> WAN </a><li><a href=/definition/ethernet> Ethernet </a></ol><ol start=6><li><a href=/definition/wi-fi> Wi-Fi </a><li><a href=/definition/router> Router </a><li><a href=/definition/switch> Switch </a><li><a href=/definition/basestation> Base Station </a><li><a href=/definition/vlan> VLAN </a></ol></div></div><div class=card><h2 class=heading>LAN Images</h2><div class="baguetteBox gallery"><figure><a href=//cdn.techterms.com/img/lg/lan_79.jpg> <img alt="A server-based LAN with connected computers"sizes="(max-width: 748px) 225px, (max-width: 970px) 162px, 225px"srcset="//cdn.techterms.com/img/md/lan_79.jpg 450w, //cdn.techterms.com/img/sm/lan_79.jpg 225w"height=113 src=//cdn.techterms.com/img/sm/lan_79.jpg width=225> </a><figcaption class=caption>A server-based LAN with connected computers</figcaption></figure><figure><a href=//cdn.techterms.com/img/lg/lan_79-2.png> <img alt="A wireless LAN with various connected devices"sizes="(max-width: 748px) 225px, (max-width: 970px) 162px, 225px"srcset="//cdn.techterms.com/img/md/lan_79-2.png 450w, //cdn.techterms.com/img/sm/lan_79-2.png 225w"height=225 src=//cdn.techterms.com/img/sm/lan_79-2.png width=225> </a><figcaption class=caption>A wireless LAN with various connected devices</figcaption></figure></div></div><div class=adRightSky><div id=div-gpt-ad-1589233879778-0></div></div></div></div><div class=popupwrapper><div id=newsletter_popup><button class=close>×</button><div id=ttnform><h3 class=heading>Sign up for the free TechTerms Newsletter</h3><form id=subscribe><div class=field><label for=newsletter_email>Email (required):</label><input aria-label="email address"id=newsletter_email name=newsletter_email required type=email></div><div class=row1><div class=field><label for=first_name>First Name:</label><input id=first_name name=first_name></div><div class=field><label for=first_name>Last Name:</label><input id=last_name name=last_name></div></div><fieldset class=row2><legend>How often would you like to receive an email?</legend><input checked id=daily name=frequency type=radio value=d><label for=daily>Daily</label><input id=weekly name=frequency type=radio value=w><label for=weekly>Weekly (Every Tuesday)</label><input aria-label="If you are a human, please do not fill in this field."aria-hidden=true class=cfieldhid id=newsletter_message name=message tabindex=-1></fieldset><input class=btnprimary type=submit value=Subscribe><div id=ttnerror></div><p>You can unsubscribe or change your frequency setting at any time using the links available in each email. <br> <br> Questions? Please <a href=/contact> contact us </a> .</form></div><div style="display: none;"id=ttnconfirm><h3>Thank You</h3><p>We just sent you an email to confirm your email address. Once you confirm your address, you will begin to receive the newsletter.<p>If you have any questions, please <a href=/contact> contact us </a> .</p><button class="ok btnprimary">Ok</button></div></div></div></main><footer id=sitefooter><a href=https://sharpened.com/ rel=noopener target=_blank> <span class=copyright> © 2021 Sharpened Productions </span> </a>  |  <a href=/terms> Terms of Use </a>  |  <a href=/privacy> Privacy Policy </a>  |  <a href=/about> About </a>  |  <a href=/contact> Contact </a></footer></div><script defer src=https://cdn.techterms.com/js/tt.js></script><script>var cterm = 'LAN'; var curl = 'lan';</script>