Components of Managed Lan Services

A Managed Lan Services is a group of computers and related devices that share a common communications link or wireless channel. Typically, connected devices share the resources of a single processor or server in a small geographic area. A local area network is useful for sharing resources such as files, printers, games, and other applications. The local area network, in turn, often connects to another local area network, as well as the Internet or another wide area network.

LAN components:

A LAN consists of three main elements:

• Hardware connected to the local network.
• Software (or Programs) Accessed Over a Local Area Network.
•  Users who create, work, and manage multiple files.

Each of these elements can be divided into several components.

A. Hardware components:

You can think of a LAN as a system made up of several basic components. These blocks can be added and customized as required. Some of the main hardware components of a LAN are:

1. Network interface card (NIC):

A network card (NIC) is a printed circuit board or card that is inserted into a computer so that it can connect to a network. Each device connected to the network contains a network interface card. The network card can be a separate card installed in a slot on the computer or it can be built into the motherboard.

2. Server:

A network server is a computer designed to process requests and deliver data to other computers (client) over a local network or the Internet. The server can be of three types:

• File server. A file server is a computer that stores files that are connected to a network and shares those files with multiple workstations.
• Print server - A print server is a device that connects printers to client computers over a network. It accepts print requests from computers and sends jobs to the appropriate printers over the local network.
• Communication server: A communication server is a computer system designed to handle a wide variety of communication applications.

3. Station:

A station is a computer that is connected to a server through a local network and exchanges data with other devices connected to it.

4. HUB:

A common connection point for devices on the network. Hubs are commonly used to connect LAN segments. The hub contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, it is copied to other ports so that all segments of the LAN can see all the packets.

5. Change:

A switch is like a hub in that it is the central point for connecting network cables; however, the switch can only receive and forward the packet to the destination computer.

6. Router:

Routers connect to the Internet for local area networks. They use a configuration table to decide where the packets should go.

7. Access point:

Computer hardware or software device that acts as a communication hub for wireless device users to connect to a wired LAN.

8. Power supply:

Both wired and wireless networks require a power source. The wireless network uses current to generate radio waves. The cable network transmits data interpreted as an electronic pulse.

9. Connector:

A network connector refers to any device that has been used to connect many LAN connections to computer hardware.

10. Peripheral joint:

A peripheral device is any device, such as a printer, hard disk, CD-ROM drive, or modem, that is connected to and controlled by a computer. Multiple users can access any or all of these devices when they are properly connected to the local network.