LAN (Local Area Network)
In the context of this wiki and computing in general, LAN refers to a local area network. A device connected to a local area network is generally able to communicate with other devices within the LAN without having to cover larger distances or access the internet. Usually, this term refers to the network within an organization, the network of a household, or the network of another entity. The devices connected to a LAN are typically configured behind a layer of obfuscation like NAT Network Address Translation[1] all sharing one or more public IP addresses connecting the LAN to the internet. Generally, the devices on a LAN are assigned IP addresses in the private range[2].
The below IP ranges as defined by IANA are listed in classes but are more commonly applied using CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing) to maximize address usage efficiently[3].
IPV4 Classed Private IP Address Ranges:
- Class A: 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255 (16.777.216 IP addresses)
- Class B: 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255 (1.048.576 IP addresses)
- Class C: 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255 (65.536 IP addresses)
IPV6 Private IP Address Range:
- FD00::/7
- ↑ "Network Address Translation (NAT)". Geeks for Geeks. 2025-08-12. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Private-Use IP Addresses". IANA Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. 2010-06-15. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Classless Inter Domain Routing (CIDR)". Geeks for Geeks. 2025-07-11. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
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