What type of network connects computers within a limited area like a home or office?

A local area network (LAN) is specifically designed to connect computers and devices within a confined geographic area, such as a home, office, or school. This type of network allows for high-speed data transfer and resource sharing (like printers and files) among connected devices without the need for long-distance connections.

LANs typically use Ethernet or Wi-Fi technologies to facilitate these connections, providing a reliable and efficient means for computers within close proximity to communicate with one another. They are characterized by their limited range compared to other types of networks, such as wide area networks (WANs), which span larger geographical distances, or metropolitan area networks (MANs), which cover a city or a large campus. A virtual private network (VPN) is a secure connection established over the internet to allow users to access a private network remotely, but it does not define the physical connections between devices like a LAN does. Thus, LANs are essential for facilitating communication and collaboration within localized environments.