A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, school, laboratory, or office building. A local area network is contrasted in principle to a wide area network (WAN), which covers a larger geographic distance and may involve leased telecommunication circuits, while the media for LANs are locally managed.
Ethernet over twisted pair cabling and Wi-Fi are the two most common transmission technologies in use for local area networks. Historical technologies include ARCNET, Token Ring, and AppleTalk.
