Local Area Network (LAN)
What is Local Area Network (LAN)?
A Local Area Network is a network that connects devices within a limited area such as a home, office, school, or building. LANs typically use Ethernet and switches, enabling devices to communicate quickly and share resources like printers, servers, and internet access.
Examples
- Office PCs and printers connect to the same LAN so employees can access shared files and print locally.
- A home router and switch connect laptops, phones, and smart devices on a single LAN before traffic goes to the internet.
Discover 🔎
A LAN is the “local” part of networking. It is where most everyday devices live and communicate, usually at high speed and low latency. From a security perspective, a LAN is important because it is often treated as trusted by default. Many attacks take advantage of that assumption. If an attacker gets onto your LAN, they can often discover devices, attempt credential attacks, and move laterally unless segmentation and controls are in place.
Summary 📝
A LAN connects devices in a limited area, typically using Ethernet switches and local IP addressing. Devices communicate directly within the LAN and use a router or firewall to reach other networks. From a security perspective, LAN design matters because flat internal networks make lateral movement easy, while segmentation, strong access control, and monitoring reduce risk.
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