Dell Inspiron Inspiron 17R, Reference Manual, Page: 76 / 152

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Network
A computer network provides connectivity between your computer and the Internet, another computer, or a peripheral such as a printer. For example, with a
network set up in a home or small office, you can:
Print to a shared printer
Access drives and files on another computer
Share files
Browse other networks
Access the Internet
You can set up a local area network (LAN) using a broadband modem and network cables, or you can set up a wireless LAN (WLAN) using a wireless router
or access point.
A Network Connections Wizard guides you through the process of setting up a computer network and connecting to other networks.
Local Area Network (LAN)
LAN connects two or more computers with each other through a network cable connected to each computer. This type of computer network generally covers
a small area. A LAN can be connected to another LAN over any distance through telephone lines and radio waves to form a wide area network (WAN).
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
WLAN connects two or more computers with each other and the Internet over the air waves rather than through a network cable connected to each
computer.
In a WLAN, a radio communications device (an access point or wireless router) connects the networked computers and peripherals, and provides Internet or
network access. The access point or wireless router and the wireless network card in the computer communicate by broadcasting data from their antennas
over the air waves.
Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)