Local area networks can be differentiated based on their topology, protocols, and media. Topology refers to the physical or logical arrangement of devices on the network, such as in a ring or straight line. Protocols are the set of rules and specifications for sending data between devices. Media describes the type of connection between devices, like twisted-pair wire, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, or wireless communication.

1. CATEGORIZATION OF LOCAL
AREA NETWORK
Done by
Gopika Anand

2. HOW LAN IS DIFFERENTIATED INTO
HAN AND SAN
The following characteristics differentiate one
LAN from another:
• Topology
• Protocols
• Media

3. TOPOLOGY
• Network topology is the arrangement of the various elements
of a computer network. The topological structure of a network,
and may be depicted physically or logically.For example, devices
can be arranged in a ring or in a straight line.
• In basic words, The geometric arrangement of devices on the
network.

4. PROTOCOLS
• The rules and encoding specifications for
sending data.
• In other words, a communications protocol is
a system of digital rules for message exchange
within or between computers.

5. MEDIA
• Devices can be connected by twisted-pair
wire, coaxial cables, or fiber optic cables.
Some networks do without connecting media
altogether, communicating instead via radio
waves.