Introduction - Java Software Solutions: Foundations of Program Design - page 22

each person can put one box on at a time, and they all can get their work done.
It's not as fast as having a conveyor belt of your own, but it's not as slow as hav-
ing to wait until everyone else is finished.

Local-Area Networks and Wide-Area Networks
A local-area network (LAN) is designed to span short distances and connect a
relatively small number of computers. Usually a LAN connects the machines in
only one building or in a single room. LANs are convenient to install and manage
and are highly reliable. As computers became increasingly small and
versatile, LANs provided an inexpensive way to share information
throughout an organization. However, having a LAN is like having
a telephone system that allows you to call only the people in your
own town. We need to be able to share information across longer
distances.
A wide-area network (WAN) connects two or more LANs, often across long
distances. Usually one computer on each LAN is dedicated to handling the com-
munication across a WAN. This technique relieves the other computers in a LAN
from having to perform the details of long-distance communication. Figure 1.17
shows several LANs connected into a WAN. The LANs connected by a WAN are
often owned by different companies or organizations and might even be located
in different countries.

KEY CONCEPT
A local-area network (LAN) is an
effective way to share information
and resources throughout an
organization.

One computer
in a LAN

LAN

Long-distance
connection

FIGURE 1.17 LANs connected into a WAN