Getting to know the LAN

Getting to know the LAN

TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) is a group of protocols that manage computer data communications on the Internet. The computers that connect to the internet to communicate with TCP / IP, because it uses the same language differences in types of computers and operating systems is not a problem. Computer PC with Windows operating systems can communicate with Macintosh computers or with a Sun SPARC running Solaris. So, if a computer using TCP / IP and is connected directly to the internet, then the computer can be connected with computer anywhere in the world that also connect to the internet
The characteristics of computer networks:

1. share hardware (hardware).

2. sharing software (software).

3. sharing of communication channels (internet).

4. sharing data with ease.

5. facilitate communication between network users.

Local Area Network (LAN) is the number of computers linked together in one particular area that is not so broad, as in one office or building. Broadly speaking there are two types of network or LAN, the network Peer to Peer and Client-Server networks.

In peer to peer network, every computer connected to the network can act both as workstations and servers. While on the network Client-Server, only one computer that acts as a server and other computers acting as workstations. Between these two types of networks each have advantages and disadvantages, in which each will be explained.

LAN is composed of several basic elements that include hardware and software components, namely:
Physical Component


Personal Computer (PC), Network Interface Card (NIC), cable, network topology

Component Software

Network Operating Systems, Network Adapter Drivers, Network Protocols.


Personal Computer (PC)


Type used in personal computers in the network will greatly determine the performance of the network. Computers with high performance will be able to send and access data in the network quickly. In the Client-Server type networks, computer servers that functioned as an absolute must have higher performance than other computer as his workstation, because the server will be responsible for providing facilities and managing the network operations.


Network Interface Card (NIC)


Based on the type of bus, there are several types of network interface card (nic) or network card, the ISA and PCI.


We have kind of network cards that are widely used, namely PCI