TestOut LabSim A+ Certification Practice Exam

What is the best definition for a Local Area Network (LAN)?

1. A network covering a city

2. A network in a small geographic area

3. A network connecting multiple cities

4. A network with no geographic limits

The correct answer is: A network in a small geographic area

A Local Area Network (LAN) is best defined as a network that operates within a limited geographic area. LANs typically connect computers and devices within a single building, such as an office or home, or sometimes within a closely situated group of buildings. This confinement allows for high-speed data transfer and low latency among connected devices. In contrast, networks that cover a city or connect multiple cities operate on a much larger scale, falling into different categories such as Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) or Wide Area Networks (WANs). Additionally, the concept of a network with no geographic limits refers more to the scope of global networking, such as the internet, rather than the specific, localized focus characteristic of a LAN. Thus, the defining characteristic of a LAN is its operation within a small geographic area, making the chosen definition the most accurate.