CITS3002 Computer Networks  
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Local Area Networks

Let's use an informal definition to characterize our next topic of study, local area networks:

Activity Separation Bit rate
Wide area networks, WANs > 10km < 100.0 Mbps
Local area networks, LANs 10 → 0.1km 100.0 → 10,000Mbps
Multiprocessors << 0.1km > 1Gbps

In particular, for local area networks:

  • Machines connect to a (logically) single cable within a 1km radius (often the same building or campus).
  • Total data rate > 10Mbps (short round trip time, simple data link layer with, say, a one bit sliding window)
  • Single organization ownership (no political domains to traverse).
  • Usually use broadcasting (no routing problems, but everyone sees all frames).

One general definition, often cited, is:

"A LAN is a routerless network, using the same protocol stack for each device, and using only a uniform, local, networking media."


CITS3002 Computer Networks, Lecture 4, Local Area Networks (LANs and WLANs), p6, 20th March 2024.