Local area network to wide area network layouts

     You have already seen that the local area network is commonly found in business and academic environments. If a user working at a microcomputer connected to a local area network wishes to access the Internet (a wide area network), the user’s local area network must have a connection to the Internet. A device called a router is employed to connect these two networks. A router converts the local area network data into wide area network data. It also performs security functions and must be properly programmed to accept or reject certain types of incoming and outgoing data packets. Figure 1-7 shows a local area network connected to a wide area network via a router.

Local area network to wide area network layout