Local area network (LAN) is a term you will probably hear frequently if you decide to connect your entire house. What is a LAN and why might it be an important tool in getting your fraternity or sorority house online?

A LAN is a network that allows multiple computers or other devices, such as printers, to be connected to each other in order to share data, or share a resource like a printer or file storage space; to connect to the Internet, the devices in a LAN must be connected through a server.

Some benefits of a LAN:

shared printing
sharing files; this would be especially useful if members are working on course assignments or projects together
faster game playing

What do we need to set up a LAN?

Setting up a LAN requires a large investment of time and other resources.
You will need:

a computer to act as the server for the network
security software to protect your server and the other computers in the LAN from hackers, viruses and any other malevolent agents. BlackICE and Norton Internet Security are two popular software security devices that offer LAN server and workstation security.
a network administrator. While a network administrator is essential to set up, perform routine maintenance, and troubleshoot the LAN, this does not have to be a full-time endeavor. Some local computer companies may offer consulting services to set up your LAN, and perform periodic maintenance.

All three components are essential to running a functional and stable LAN.

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