What is a LAN? a WAN?

Question

I know what the initials stand for (local area network, etc.) I'm interested in how they work (physically and electronically). For example, how far apart can two -- or more -- computers on/in the same LAN be in feet, yards, miles (or meters, kilometers), etc. I really have no idea.

What other types of networks are there, computer-wise? Which (if any) of these is the internet? If not one of those, what type is it?

Please don't 'flame' me -- I'm not a computer person (expert, etc.) just a computer user. I don't work in a computer-intensive field (mine's more people- and paper-intensive). So, I'm trying to learn.

And please excuse (and correct) any misuses of words in my Q. I'd like to speak/ask in the subject as clearly and intelligently as possible.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

ok i think i understand what your asking.. you just want to know how they are used and how they are set up im guessing??!

so

a LAN (local area network) is used in a building or home to connect all the PCs togethor to let them share network resources and share an internet connection.  Its all powered by a device called a Router or a Hub...

a WAN (Wide area network) is used in large buisnesses or schools to connect all the Local area networks togethor.. Once again used to share network resources and printers and other devices. For a school will use a WAN to connect all the PCs and printers togethor in a school. All computer resources are shared. A WAN is usually made possible by Servers.

this was simplified a lot... but you will find it is correct. It is alot more complex though.