A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, school, laboratory, university campus or office building. By contrast, a wide area network (WAN) not only covers a larger geographic distance, but also generally involves leased telecommunication circuits or Internet links. An even greater contrast is the Internet, which is a system of globally connected business and personal computers. 

Ethernet and Wi-Fi are the two most common technologies in use for local area networks. Historical technologies include ARCNET, Token ring, and AppleTalk. 

The increasing demand and use of computers in universities and research labs in the late 1960s generated the need to provide high-speed interconnections between computer systems. A 1970 report from the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory detailing the growth of their "Octopus" network gave a good indication of the situation. 

A number of experimental and early commercial LAN technologies were developed in the 1970s. Cambridge Ring was developed at Cambridge University starting in 1974. Ethernet was developed at Xerox PARC in 1973–1975, and filed as . In 1976, after the system was deployed at PARC, Robert Metcalfe and David Boggs published a seminal paper, "Ethernet: Distributed Packet-Switching for Local Computer Networks". ARCNET was developed by Datapoint Corporation in 1976 and announced in 1977. It had the first commercial installation in December 1977 at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York.
What connects businesses and personal computers
Which is bigger, WAN or LAN
Which has a limited area of coverage?
what does LAN stand for?
What does WAN stand for?
When did demand increase?
What are common LAN technologies?
Was there a network names after an animal?
What animal?
who reported on it?
When?
Who created Ethernet?
When?
Where was the first business install at?
In what year was in install at the bank?
Where was the bank located?
Where did the demand increase at.
did it increase any where else?
where?
is Apple talk a new tech?
the Internet
the Internet, which is a system of globally connected business and personal computers
WAN
By contrast, a wide area network (WAN) not only covers a larger geographic distance, but also generally involves leased telecommunication circuits or Internet links
LAN
(LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area
local area network
A local area network (LAN
wide area network
wide area network (WAN)
in the late 1960s
The increasing demand and use of computers in universities and research labs in the late 1960s
Ethernet and Wi-Fi
Ethernet and Wi-Fi are the two most common technologies in use for local area networks
yes
their "Octopus" network
octopus
 their "Octopus" network
the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory
 A 1970 report from the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory
1970
 A 1970 report from the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory
Xerox
Ethernet was developed at Xerox PARC
1973–1975
at Xerox PARC in 1973–1975
PARC
In 1976, after the system was deployed at PARC
1977
the first commercial installation in December 1977 at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York
in New York
at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York
universities
The increasing demand and use of computers in universities and research labs
yes
The increasing demand and use of computers in universities and research labs
research labs
The increasing demand and use of computers in universities and research labs
no
Historical technologies include ARCNET, Token ring, and AppleTalk