Local area network facts for kids

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a group of computers and other devices connected together. They are usually in a small area, like your home, school, or an office. LANs let these devices share things like files, printers, and internet access. Most LANs use special cables called Ethernet to link up.

How LANs are Set Up (Topology)

The word "topology" describes how computers and devices are arranged in a LAN. It shows how they connect and send information to each other. There are five main ways to set up a LAN: bus, ring, star, tree, and mesh. These setups describe how the data travels. They don't always show how the actual wires look. For example, a "bus" network might look like a "star" with its cables.

Bus Topology

In a bus setup, all devices connect to a single main cable. When one device sends a signal, all other devices on the cable receive it. If two devices try to send data at the same time, their signals can crash into each other. Imagine a long copper wire with many smaller wires plugged into it.

Ring Topology

In a ring setup, each device connects to exactly two other devices. This forms a circle. Data travels around the circle from one device to the next. Some ring networks send data in only one direction. Others send it both ways. Token Ring is an example of a ring network.

Star Topology

A star setup has one central device, like a network switch, in the middle. All other devices connect directly to this central device. For any device to talk to another, the data must go through the central device first. This is a very common way to set up networks today.

Tree (Hybrid) Topology

A tree setup looks like a tree when you draw it. It starts with a few main connections at the bottom. Then it branches out to many more devices at the top. Large networks often use a tree topology. For example, there might be main switches at the bottom. Then, all the user computers "branch out" from there.

Mesh Topology

In a mesh setup, every device can connect directly to every other device. This means data can travel many different paths. A "partial mesh" means some devices are connected to only some others. Mesh networks are often used in wireless setups. Devices can use different channels to avoid interfering with each other.

Images for kids

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  Twisted pair LAN cable

See also

In Spanish: Red de área local para niños