Data Communications – LAN and Data Centres

A computer network or data network is a communications network that allows computers to exchange data. Data transmission, digital transmission, or digital communications is the physical transfer of data (a digital bit stream) over a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint communication channel, such as copper wires or optical fibres.

A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building.  A data centre is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. It generally includes redundant or backup power supplies, redundant data communications connections, environmental controls (e.g. air conditioning, fire suppression) and security devices. Large data centres are industrial scale operations using as much electricity as a small town.