A local Area Network (LAN) is a group of computers and associated devices that share a common communications line or wireless link.
Repeater – it operates at OSI layer 1 and transmits data bits over a physical medium.
A LAN usually connects servers, workstations, printers, and mass storagedevices,
enabling users toshare the
resources.
Most local area network share built with relativelyinexpensive hardware suchas Ethernet
cables, network adapters,
and hub.
LAN
characteristics are determined by:
Topologies
MAC (Medium Access Control)
Transmission media
Size of coverage
LAN
Interconnection
Traditional
LAN interconnection devices
Repeater – it operates at OSI layer 1 and transmits data bits over a physical medium.
Bridge – it
operates at OSI layer 2 and is commonly used to connect similar LAN segments.
Switch – it
operates at OSI layer 2 or layer 3 and is used to interconnect multiple similar
or dissimilar LANs.
Router – it operates at OSI layer 3. A router
is used to interconnect individual
networks whose sizes vary from very small to very large. Routers may be
categorized into backbone router (or core router), border router and access router
depending on their role in the network.
