A local area network (LAN) connects computers and devices within a limited geographic area, allowing for high-speed data transfer and constant access to local services at a lower cost than a wide area network. When designing a LAN, the main considerations are distance between devices and overall cost. LANs use unicast, multicast, or broadcast transmission methods to send data between connected components.

1. Local Area Network
A LAN is a group of computers, printers and other interconnected devices.
Characteristics of a LAN include:
1. Limited geographic operation
2. High speed data transfer rates
3. Full time connectivity to local services
4. Generally lower in cost than a WAN
Major LAN Issues
Two major issues when designing and implementing a LAN include:
1. Distance
2. Cost

2. LAN Transmission Methods
LAN transmission methods fall into 3 main categories:
Unicast transmission
Multicast transmission
Broadcast transmission

3. Unicast transmission

4. Multicast transmission

5. Broadcast transmission