TRENDnet TE100-S86FX Manual - Page 19

FastEthernet Switch Appendix B - Introduction to LAN & Ethernet Technologies In the last ten years, as communication and business applications become increasingly complex, computer network has evolved as a very important part of the enterprise infrastructure. Communication systems like Local Area Network (LANs) have grown into a sophisticated, powerful, yet flexible technology today. Among different types of Local Area Networks, such as FDDI, ATM, Token Ring and Apple Talk, Ethernet strikes a good balance between speed, price, ease of installation, and supportability. This primer helps to explain this most popular technology and its associated products such as Ethernet hubs and switches. LAN In order to reduce the expense on computer hardware and software and to easily share information, LAN technologies were developed for people to share distributed computing resources. LAN connects independent computers, file servers, printers, etc. together within a confined geographic area, usually a single building or a college campus. As LAN expands to link hundreds and thousands of computers, various network protocols and media have developed to meet the organization's different requirements. At times, multiple LANs that are geographically dispersed may need to connect together and become so called Wide Area Network (WAN). Fast EthernetSwitch 19 User's Guide