This makes data more easily available
and promotes more ef?¬?cient collaboration on work projects.
Understanding Ethernet 107
?– Resources: The resources that can be shared include both input devices, such as
cameras, and output devices, such as printers.
?– Communication path to other networks: If a resource is not available locally, the
LAN, via a gateway, can provide connectivity to remote resources??”for example,
access to the web.
How Big Is a LAN?
A LAN can be con?¬?gured in a variety of sizes, depending on the requirements of the
environment in which it operates. Figure 1-91 contrasts LAN sizes.
Figure 1-91 Sizes of a LAN
LANs can be of various sizes to ?¬?t different work requirements, including the following:
?– Small of?¬?ce/home of?¬?ce (SOHO): The SOHO environment typically has only a few
computers and some peripherals such as printers.
SOHO LAN
VP
Retail Banking
VP
Treasury
VP
Corporate
Banking
VP
Operations
Enterprise LAN
108 Chapter 1: Building a Simple Network
?– Enterprise: The enterprise environment might include many separate LANs in a large
of?¬?ce building or in different buildings on a corporate campus. In the enterprise
environment, each LAN might contain hundreds of computers and peripherals in each
LAN.
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