What does 'LAN' stand for?

LAN stands for Local Area Network, a network that connects computers and other devices within a limited geographic area.

A LAN might cover a home, classroom, office, building, or campus. It allows nearby devices to exchange data and share resources such as printers, storage, applications, and an Internet connection. The network equipment is typically managed locally by a household, school, company, or other organization.

Ethernet is the most common wired LAN technology, while Wi-Fi provides wireless LAN connections. A router can connect a LAN to a wider network, including the Internet, but the LAN itself remains the local portion. Its limited range often allows high speeds and direct administrative control.

The most common confusion is with WAN, or Wide Area Network. A WAN links networks across larger distances and may rely on leased telecommunications circuits or Internet links. “Local access network” and “logical area network” are not the standard expansions of LAN in this networking context.