Configuration: In many cases, data are transmitted between computers, terminals, word processing stations and other devices that are located within a compact area such as office building or a headquarters. The communication system used to link these nearby devices is referred to as LAN.

Transmission Lines: Two common configurations of LAN are: a Star-LAN and a Bus-LAN. In case of Star-LAN, there is central controller (file-server) and all network terminal hookups radiate out from this central node like the points of a star. In a Bus-LAN, however a single cable (or bus) is routed from station to station provided the network linkage. Other configurations are Ring-LAN and Tree LAN.

Transmission channel may use everything from pairs of twisted wires to coaxial and fibre-optic cables. The speed of transmission and the network cost varies widely depending upon type of LAN manufactured by different vendors, while others are restricted to components made by a single vendor.

Categories: Most of LANs can be placed in one of the following categories:

High Speed Network: Over 20 million bits per second (MBps) can be transmitted, which provide links between mainframe computers.

Medium Speed Networks: Transmission speeds for these LANs very between 1 MBps and 20 MBps. Suitable for use with mini-computers, these LANs can support a few hundred workstations and other devices.

Low Speed Personal Computer Network: Transmission rates are generally less than 1 MBps. Prices and capabilities very considerable. There are no LANs that will link all *****s of personal as well as Web Design Firm computers together. Some of the LANs that support more than one ***** will allow the different makes to share printers and other peripherals, but they may not allow the different to talk to each other.