TVs. Consoles. Projectors and accessories. Technologies. Digital TV

We connect the TV receiver to the Internet. Creating a home network with your own hands What is the lan input on a TV

Hi all! Perhaps the question in the title of the article seemed a little strange to you, but still there is a semantic load in it. Surprisingly, similar questions bothered some of my readers and came across me several times on various forums. Progress and competition in information technology laid the foundation for the production of smart TVs several years ago. Many modern models (depending on the line) have a LAN connector on board, but some consumers, after purchasing a TV, do not get what they expected from this network connector. So why does a TV have a LAN connector?

Depending on the answers to these questions, we will determine the cause of the problem.

The computer does not see the connected LAN cable

In this case, when connecting the network cable, no messages or activity appears from the latter. The network connections icon is crossed out in red, and if you hover over it, the message “No connection” will appear. Everything looks exactly the same as if the cable was not connected at all.

Average cost of a typical USB connector350,00 rub.
Average cost of a typical LAN connector350,00 rub.

In the window Setting up an interface for an Ethernet connection in field Use connector specify one of the LAN ports (in our example, LAN1) that will work as a WAN port.

USB– (from English Universal Serial Bus– “U-S-B”) - The Universal Serial Bus is a serial data transfer interface for medium- and low-speed peripheral devices in computing.

The USB tree block diagram symbol is the geometric shapes (large circle, small circle, triangle and square) located at its ends.

USB cable is four-wire (4 copper conductors). The cable uses two twisted pair conductors for receiving and transmitting data, and two power conductors. Thanks to this, peripheral devices can be connected without their own power supply.

USB is characterized by 3 operating modes:

To check the health of the network card, you need to go to the “Device Manager” of your computer. To do this, you should do the following:
Your name may be different. If there is an exclamation mark next to it, it means it is not working correctly. Try reinstalling the driver. You just need to download from the manufacturer’s website and run the installation manually, and not through the task manager. It may also be that the LAN connector on the router does not work.

Important: if your laptop’s LAN port does not work, do not draw hasty conclusions. There are a lot of possible options: from incorrectly configured software and router to cable kinks or damage network card.

Connection without internet access (yellow triangle with exclamation point)

The problem looks like this:

Connection status "No Internet access" As if it speaks for itself, the Internet does not work. But there is a connection to the router. As a rule, this error may appear due to incorrect settings of the router. When there is no Internet connection. There is a detailed article on this issue.

Hi all! Perhaps the question in the title of the article seemed a little strange to you, but still there is a semantic load in it. Surprisingly, similar questions bothered some of my readers and came across me several times on various forums. Progress and competition in information technology several years ago laid the foundation for the production of smart TVs. Many modern models (depending on the line) have a LAN connector on board, but some consumers, after purchasing a TV, do not get what they expected from this network connector. So why does a TV have a LAN connector?

Recently, manufacturers have been building an Ethernet network port into TVs not only with support for the Smart TV function, but also in those models that do not have this function at all. If you don't know what Smart TV is, then watch this short video.

With TVs that have the Smart TV function, everything is clear, but the LAN connector on board in models that do not have this function sometimes confuses consumers...

Having delivered their cherished dream home from the store, they try to connect it to the Internet and are surprised to discover that there are no applications or a browser in it. Hmm, but it also contains network LAN there is an entrance, which means there is access to the Internet.

However, in this situation they are partly right... There really is access to the Internet, but for completely different purposes, but first things first.

Having acquired certain knowledge, you have a much higher chance of buying exactly what you want, and not what others advise you.

Secondly, if you have already become the owner of a Smart TV, then in this case you have access to the Internet via a LAN input and various “goodies”. You can connect your TV directly (using the provider's cable) or via, and if it has a built-in TV, then via a wireless network. If you see the inscription “Optional” in the Wi-Fi line, then there is no built-in wireless module, but you can connect an external Wi-Fi adapter from the manufacturer.

The TV does not have a Smart TV function, but it does have a LAN port.

On one of the forums, a person wrote that his TV did not connect to the Internet, and after specifying the model, it turned out that the model actually had an Ethernet port, but there was no built-in browser... After some time, a similar discussion appeared on the site in one from discussions about connecting a TV. Both on the forum and in the comments on the website, it turned out that this port can only be used to flash the TV’s firmware and may not have any smart options.


I don’t know how advisable it is to update the firmware over the network, although it is certainly convenient, but I have already heard more than once from experts as recommendations that it is better to update the TV software not via the Internet, but via a USB flash drive(s). The fact is that updating software over the network can lead to incorrect installation, and a previously downloaded update to the drive from the official website during installation has a minimal chance of failure. But the last word belongs to the manufacturer. Is not it?

On my own behalf, I will add that it is quite possible that the presence of a LAN connector on a TV can be used not only for updating the firmware, but also for DLNA technology. Look at the specifications of your TV and if you see support for this technology there, then you can connect the TV to your computer and transmit media streams. That is, you can either use the Ethernet port to stream media content (photos, videos) to your TV.

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

If you want to know what a WAN is, or how a WAN differs from a LAN, then you have come to the right place. Now let’s try to figure out what these technologies, connectors, connections are, what they are needed for and what the difference is.

I think that in most cases, when someone is looking for information on WAN, they mean the connector on the Wi-Fi router. After all, in almost every instruction for setting up a router you can find this abbreviation. Everyone writes about connecting some cables to WAN connectors, or LAN. Let's go in order:

WAN(Wide Area Network) is a global computer network. Simply put, this is the Internet. If we talk about the WAN connector, then this is the connector on the router into which the cable from the provider is connected. Network cable through which the router accesses the Internet.

On almost all routers this is a blue connector, and it looks like this:

In the photo above you can see that the connector is even labeled. Also, the router usually has an indicator of the connected WAN cable. During normal operation, it should blink actively. And next to the indicator itself they usually draw an icon in the form of a planet.

Now you know what WAN is. Let's take a closer look at how it differs from LAN.

What is the difference between a WAN connector and a LAN connector?

Everything here is also very simple. What is LAN?

LAN(Local Area Network) is a local network. Simply put, these are computers that are connected to each other over a short distance. For example, computers, televisions, mobile devices that are connected to each other via a router within a home or office. This is a local network.

On routers you can usually find 4 LAN connectors. They yellow color and look like this:


They serve to connect devices to a local network via a network cable.

The difference between WAN and LAN is that WAN is access to the Internet, and LAN is a local network to which devices that are located close to each other can be connected.

I think that's all you need to know about these two designations. You can, of course, delve into technical aspects, abstruse definitions, etc., but this is unlikely to be of interest to anyone.

Today, many users are looking for the following information on the Internet: LAN – what is it and why is it needed? Of course, in worldwide network you can find a very simple and short definition. It sounds like this: LAN is a local area network. That's all.

But this decryption gives absolutely nothing, especially if a novice user has to deal with this. For some reason, many authors of articles on the Internet believe that if they throw in a lot of incomprehensible phrases, then people will immediately read the entire article and consider the site on which it is posted to be very authoritative and important.

In fact, this approach to the matter only complicates the whole situation. Therefore, we will try to explain what LAN is in simple language, so that even a child can understand it.

If you still don’t understand something, write about it in the comments, we will be happy to answer all your questions. So let's start with a simple theory.

Theoretical page

So, LAN stands for Local Area Network. This actually translates to. To put it simply, a LAN is several interconnected computers and other devices that can connect to the network. And they are connected to each other either with the help of cables or with the help of. In Figure 1 you can see a pretty clear example local network.


Rice. 1. LAN example

As you can see, the main element of the network here is a router that is connected to the Internet (WAN). Remember this abbreviation, we will talk about it later.

For now, let’s look at the diagram shown above. On it, numbers indicate network segments, specifically:

3. DVD player connected to the router using a cable. For this purpose, the router has special LAN connectors, which are usually marked in yellow. In most cases there are 4 such connectors.

As we said above, a LAN connector is used to connect to the router via cable. We can see this in Figure 3.


Rice. 3. Router - rear view

As you can see, everything is standard in this model - 4 LAN connectors, but there is one more and it is already different in blue. Actually, this is the WAN (remember, we said that this concept needs to be remembered?). To more accurately understand what a LAN is, you can compare it with this very WAN.

By the way: Both LAN and WAN are connected via the most common cable with an RJ45 tip, shown in Figure 4. Above we said that, for example, segment No. 3 in Figure 1, that is, a DVD player, is connected to the router with using a cable. This cable is a regular twisted pair cable with RJ45 lugs on both sides. It's that simple!


Rice. 4. RJ45 tip

Comparing LAN and WAN

Let's start with what a WAN actually is. Again, to put it simply, this is the Internet. That is, it is the same network, but not local, like LAN, but global. It includes all devices and millions of local networks. WAN stands for Wide Area Network. Through this very network, each user can access the resources of another computer or other device that can be connected to the network.

By the way: This information is stored on servers. To put it simply, this is a huge number of high-capacity disks collected into one large device that can provide this information.


Rice. 5. Example of a working server

Differences between LAN and WAN:

  1. Dimensions. Typically, a local network covers small areas, for example, an apartment or some kind of industrial premises. But the global network spreads across the entire surface of the globe.
  2. Number of users. Of course, many more people can connect to a global network than to a local one. There, the equipment used is much more powerful, and in general, a lot of people usually connect. This is what we are counting on.
  3. Type of services. Local networks have their own services, such as a file access service, a printer service, and so on, in general, everything that is needed for a small network. But in the global network, for example, a routing service is used (determining the route of information to network nodes) and much more, which is necessary for working in large networks.

As for the distance or area that these two types of networks can cover, we have already said above that the global network extends over the entire surface of the globe. Accordingly, it can also work on distant spaceships if they are connected to any device within this network.

So, it’s interesting that local networks can also reach quite large sizes. The largest such network to date had devices that were located at a distance of 14,000 km from each other. These were space stations and orbital centers. Although usually a local network covers the same offices, houses, firms or a small group of buildings.

Many owners of television receivers would like to enjoy all the benefits of the World Wide Web without using a computer. The development of technological progress makes it possible to connect the Internet to a new TV model or to an old one - without much difficulty. In this review we will look at how to connect various models TVs, including LG, to wired and wireless Internet.

The vast majority of modern television receivers already have built-in capabilities to join the World Wide Web. All you need to do is connect the device correctly and set up the Internet. In practice, there are 2 connection methods:

  • connection using a network cable;
  • wireless connection of the device via Wi-Fi.

Via network cable

To connect the Internet to the TV, you can use a network cable. The advantage of such a connection is that the connection will be on maximum speed, unlike wireless, when the speed is slightly reduced. The disadvantage of this type of connection to the Web is that the cable must be routed to the television receiver. You also have to use a cable connection when the TV no Wi-Fi module.

So, if the cable is already pulled to the device, next steps will be like this.

  1. You need to find a socket called “LAN” on the back wall of the device and connect a cable to it (for example, the connection to the “web” on an LG TV is shown).
  2. If in the house, in addition to the TV, you will connect to the Internet and a PC, then to use them simultaneously you need to purchase a special device (splitter) called “hub”. On one side, the main line is connected to the connector, and the computer and television receiver are connected to the other two.

  3. Turn on your smart TV and, using the remote control, enter the menu by pressing the Home button.

  4. On the page that opens, find the “Settings” button and click on it, and then click on the “Network” item.
  5. On the “Network” tab, select the “Network connection” line.

  6. A window will appear asking you to select “Set up connection”.

  7. Next, click on “List of networks”.

  8. A list of methods will be presented in a new window possible connection apparatus. IN in this case You must select “Wired Network”.

  9. Next, you should click on the “Update” button, wait a while for the television receiver to process the data, after which a message will appear indicating a successful connection to the Web. Now all that remains is to click on “Done”. After this, your television receiver is ready to work on the World Wide Web.

Via router

To connect the TV receiver to the Internet via a router, you will need connect LAN ports both devices with a cable of the required length (purchased separately).

Now you can turn on the device and start debugging:


Via Wi-Fi

How to connect modern TV to the Internet via cable, was discussed above. But this is not the only way to get the opportunity to use the Internet on your TV. You can do without laying wires around the apartment by using a wireless connection. To connect the TV to the Internet (wireless) via router, you will need a minimum of actions, provided that the device has . Before you make the setup, you will need to prepare information about the name of your network and remember the password for it. Next, taking the remote control in your hands and with the device turned on, do the following:

  1. Turn on the device and go to the menu by pressing the desired button.
  2. Next, in the settings you need to select “Network” and “Network settings”.
  3. After that, select the connection type, in this case wireless.
  4. The device will begin searching for the Web environment, and after a short period of time it will display a list of it (it will display, in addition to yours, your neighbors’ networks if you live in an apartment building).
  5. Select your network, and after pressing the “Ok” button on the remote control, you will need to enter the password in the appropriate line. After a moment, a window will appear with a message that the connection is established and the activation was successful. If this does not happen, find out.

If there is no Wi-Fi module

How to connect a TV without a built-in module to the Internet via wifi, but with the ability to use an external device? Everything is very simple - you just need to purchase and connect it to USB port your TV set.

  1. “Setting from the list of access points (AP)” – selected if you have authorization data and information about the name of your home network.
  2. “Easy installation (WPS button mode)” – applies if your router supports automatic installation connections to Wi-Fi. This method can be called the simplest, since all that is required of you is to select this item and press the “WPS” button (holding it for a few seconds) located on the router. The setup will happen automatically.
  3. “Network setup (Ad hoc)” is intended if you want to set up a connection to your computer without access to the Internet, that is local.

Settings for Smart TV

How to connect to the Internet different ways on TV it’s clear now, but for full use Just one connection to the World Wide Web is not enough.

On LG TVs

It is recommended to go registration in the app store LG. Without registration you will not be able to install required applications, you will not be able to use all the functionality of smart TV. The registration procedure is very simple:

  • the first thing to do is go to the main menu;
  • in the upper right corner of the screen there will be a button to log into your account - click on it;
  • in the next window you can enter your authorization data (if you have already registered) or continue creating an account on LG Apps - the “Registration” button;

  • Next, you need to come up with a password and enter it along with your email address in the form that opens, then click on “Registration”;

  • then check yours email using a smartphone or via a computer and confirm the creation of a profile;

  • To log into your account, click on top corner"To come in";
  • enter your registration data, check the box next to “Remain logged in” (next time you will not be prompted to enter data);
  • answer “No” in the window that appears, asking you to enter additional information;

On Samsung Smart TV

To connect the Internet, cable or wireless, to a Samsung TV, you can use the instructions for the same LG device. The connection steps and the diagram are not much different, except for the names of the items in the menu (it’s easy to guess the purpose of the buttons based on the meaning). But there are some differences in the setup:


If you succeeded in connecting your Samsung TV to the Internet and everything worked, then you can relax and start installing various kinds applications from Samsung Apps, and enjoy watching videos and Internet TV.

How to set up the TV when the message “Network error” or something like that appears? You will need to go into settings and do the following:

  • go to “Menu” >> “Network” >> “Network settings”;

  • A window will appear in which you need to click the “Start” button in order to let the TV set up the Internet on its own.

If the setup was successful, a corresponding message will appear. If the attempt fails, you will need to go to the “Network Status” section:

  • in the window that appears, select “IP settings - receive automatically” and try to connect to the Internet on the TV;

  • if the connection is unsuccessful, you will have to register the IP address, DNS and subnet mask manually.

To find out what values ​​to enter on Samsung TV, you can call your provider, or do it even simpler: using a PC, go to “Local Area Connection” and select “Information”, after which in a new window you will see all the necessary data for manual entry.

After this procedure, connecting Samsung to the Internet should go without problems.

IN SONY BRAVIA

The entire connection procedure for the SONY BRAVIA TV is similar to that described above for other brands of devices. But connecting a smart TV to the Internet and setting up Smart functions is somewhat different from those discussed.

  1. To begin, press the key on the remote that says “Home”.

  2. Click on the button with the image of a suitcase in the corner of the window and go to the “Settings” menu.

  3. In this window, select “Network”.

  4. Now click on “Update Internet Content”.

  5. A connection will begin with the Sony Entertainment Network server to configure the services that are currently available.
  6. After finishing the setup, Bravia will display a message with a recommendation to return to the main menu by pressing the “Home” button. But you need to ignore this suggestion and click on the “SEN” button, after which you will see a list of video channels and a list of applications, both foreign and Russian.

  7. It may take some time for your Sony device to update. By clicking on the “+” sign or “All applications”, you will see the entire list.

  8. Having decided on the content selection, click “Open”, after which the broadcast will begin.

  9. You can add your favorite TV channel to the list quick access by clicking on “Add to my apps”. The list appears initially when you press the “SEN” key.

Connecting to older TV models

What to do if you have old TV, but you want to watch movies from the World Wide Web, and is it possible to connect the Internet to it at all? The answer is yes, yes. the best solution to get out of this situation, this is a purchase that runs on Android OS, which connects to regular TV via HDMI or AV connectors (tulips). Connecting the set-top box is very simple - everything is done exactly as if you wanted to connect a TV tuner.

Essentially, this is the same tablet, but instead of a screen it uses a TV. By connecting it to the device, you can now watch Internet TV, watch videos from websites, that is, do everything that you can do on a tablet. Can also be connected to a set-top box full keyboard and mouse for easy navigation and comfortable surfing through pages on the World Wide Web.

Today, many users are looking for the following information on the Internet: LAN – what is it and why is it needed? Of course, you can find a very simple and short definition on the World Wide Web.

It sounds like this: LAN is a local area network. That's all.

But this decryption gives absolutely nothing, especially if a novice user has to deal with this.

In fact, this approach to the matter only complicates the whole situation. Therefore, we will try to explain what LAN is, in simple language, so that even a child can understand it.

If you still don’t understand something, write about it in the comments, we will be happy to answer all your questions. So let's start with a simple theory.

Theoretical page

So, LAN stands for Local Area Network. This actually translates to .

To put it simply, a LAN is several interconnected computers and other devices that can connect to the network.

And they are connected to each other either using cables or using . In Figure 1 you can see a fairly clear example of a local network.

Rice. 1. LAN example

As you can see, the main element of the network here is a router that is connected to the Internet (WAN). Remember this abbreviation, we will talk about it later.

For now, let’s look at the diagram shown above. On it, numbers indicate network segments, specifically:

3. DVD player connected to the router using a cable. For this purpose, the router has special LAN connectors, which are usually marked in yellow. In most cases there are 4 such connectors.

As we said above, a LAN connector is used to connect to the router via cable. We can see this in Figure 3.

Rice. 3. Router - rear view

As you can see, everything is standard in this model - 4 LAN connectors, but there is one more and it is already different in blue.

Actually, this is the WAN (remember, we said that this concept needs to be remembered?). To more accurately understand what a LAN is, you can compare it with this very WAN.

By the way: Both LAN and WAN are connected via the most common cable with an RJ45 tip, shown in Figure 4. Above we said that, for example, segment No. 3 in Figure 1, that is, a DVD player, is connected to the router with using a cable. This cable is a regular twisted pair cable with RJ45 lugs on both sides. It's that simple!

Rice. 4. RJ45 tip

Comparing LAN and WAN

Let's start with what a WAN actually is. Again, to put it simply, this is the Internet. That is, it is the same network, but not local, like LAN, but global.

It includes all devices and millions of local networks. WAN stands for Wide Area Network.

Through this very network, each user can access the resources of another computer or other device that can be connected to the network.

By the way: This information is stored on servers. To put it simply, this is a huge number of high-capacity disks collected into one large device that can provide this information.

Rice. 5. Example of a working server

Differences between LAN and WAN:

  1. Dimensions. Typically, a local network covers small areas, for example, an apartment or some kind of industrial premises. But the global network spreads across the entire surface of the globe.
  2. Number of users. Of course, many more people can connect to a global network than to a local one. There, the equipment used is much more powerful, and in general, a lot of people usually connect. This is what we are counting on.
  3. Type of services. Local networks have their own services, such as a file access service, a printer service, and so on, in general, everything that is needed for a small network. But in the global network, for example, a routing service is used (determining the route of information to network nodes) and much more, which is necessary for working in large networks.

As for the distance or area that these two types of networks can cover, we have already said above that the global network extends over the entire surface of the globe.

Accordingly, it can also work on distant spaceships if they are connected to any device within this network.

So, it’s interesting that local networks can also reach quite large sizes

The largest such network to date had devices that were located at a distance of 14,000 km from each other. These were space stations and orbital centers.

Although usually a local network covers the same offices, houses, firms or a small group of buildings.

LAN tasks

Now let's talk about why people create these local networks in the first place and why in some cases it is impossible to use a global one.

So, the goals of creating a LAN can be as follows:

  1. Providing access to files only to certain devices. In global networks there is no full-fledged such possibility, but there are some workarounds. If you want to give the ability to use and change files to certain people, for example, employees of your company, the simplest and reliable way– creation of a local network.
  2. Sharing printers, scanners and other similar devices. These same devices can simply be added to the local network and all computers in the same building can be connected to it. If you did not use a LAN, you would need to access each computer separately, and this is very impractical and expensive.
  3. The resources of all computers, in particular memory, are used in the same way. It's simple - if one employee's computer does not have enough space to store some information, he can leave it on his colleague's computer, which is also connected to.

Actually, these are all the goals that people pursue when they connect devices into local networks. As you can see, everything turned out to be quite simple and uncomplicated.

There is only one question left to consider: what does using a LAN look like?

It’s very simple - a user who is connected to the network goes to the “Network” folder on his computer and sees the “Users” folder there.

He goes into it, then selects the desired user (opens it like a regular folder) and sees all his shortcuts, folders and other information as if it were on his computer.

Rice. 6. The “Network” folder on a computer connected to the local network.

Of course, before this you need to perform a number of manipulations to configure the LAN, and also make sure that all devices are suitable for use on the local network.

But this, as they say, “is a completely different story.”

You can understand the information presented above even more if you watch the tutorial in the video below.

What is an IP address, mask, host, network address. Basics

Description of the basic principles of addressing in computer networks. An explanation of what an IP address is and what parts it consists of, what a mask is and how to use it, how to determine the number of hosts.

Boys and girls, I greet you! What is LAN? LAN is a Local Area Network - a local network, as opposed to a WAN. With you is the WiFiGid portal and I personally, Nerd, with smart terms. Bored? Can not understand anything? Then everything will be much simpler, chewed up and on the shelves. I suggest you read this super article!

And if something suddenly remains unclear, you can always write your question or wish in the comments, and I or someone from our crazy team will definitely answer it.

Theory on fingers about LAN and LAN connector

So, let's start from the beginning and gradually delve deeper into the concept:

LAN – Local Area Network – Local computer network– in common parlance “Local network”

The key word here is “Local”. Those. separated from the outside world. Let's keep it simple: here you are sitting in your apartment - this is a local space. And the street is a common space. It’s the same with networks – there is a local network, and there is an external global one (the Internet).

For reference - network - connecting devices through network cable or Wi-Fi for data transfer. Who knows?

To simplify even further, any device on a network at home or in an office is a local network, the Internet is a global network. The average person doesn't need to know more. Here's an example of a typical home network:

Yes! We don’t always notice that we have so many devices connected at home, but in practice it’s usually like this - each family member has a phone, a tablet and a laptop... And the evil neighbor kid from 5 “G” also connects to your local network via Wi-Fi local school - it is also located on your network, and not on the external one.

LAN ports – ports on the router for accessing the local network.

LAN devices

The connecting link in the picture and in a typical apartment is a router (also called a router). It is he who creates a local network within himself, and all devices connected to him are included in this network. What is usually connected to it now:

  • Computer - via wire.
  • Laptop - usually via Wi-Fi.
  • Smartphones – via Wi-Fi.
  • Tablets – via Wi-Fi.
  • TVs - I have one via wire, the second via Wi-Fi.

And these are the most typical representatives of a home network. And besides this, you may encounter all sorts of switches, repeaters, smart plugs, video cameras, etc. All this is also in your LAN zone.

Connectivity and ports

Here I’ll tell you about connecting to the LAN. There are 2 options:

  1. Via Wi-Fi.
  2. Through the wire.

Here it is worth understanding that everything revolves around the router. Everything that connects to the router is LAN. What does the router connect to - WAN. Like incoming and outgoing connection.

The router itself can connect via Wi-Fi, but usually they still connect to it. Anyone who connects immediately gets into the local network. Another option is to connect via wire. To do this, let's look at the back side of any average router:


Pay attention to the LAN ports - there are usually several of them, and they are usually yellow (not always both). They are written LAN, or local network, or something else. It's difficult to confuse with others. The WAN port is specially taken out separately and allocated. So, if you want to connect something to your local network, connect it only to the LAN ports. If you want to connect the router to a provider (for Internet access, 99% of cases) or another router (for example, for a perverted repeater mode), use the WAN interface.


Nowadays, both LAN ports and WAN ports usually have the same type of connector for twisted pair Ethernet cable - RJ-45. But this may not always be the case. So, an ADSL modem can use RJ-45 (LAN) for a local network, and RJ-11 (WAN) for connecting to the Internet via telephone cable. LAN connector mostly all Lately– RJ-45.


LAN – black ports, WAN – blue, there are 2 ports for telephony

WAN and LAN - what's the difference?!

Let's start from afar:

LAN – Local Area Network – local network
WAN – Wide Area Network – global network

We read: LAN - LAN, WAN - VAN

There is a broad meaning and a narrow one. In a broad sense, I have already mentioned the difference above - there is your home personal network, and there is a network to which all devices in the world can connect - the Internet. In a broad sense, WAN is the Internet. Basically, this is a difference and is asked for everywhere in schools and universities. There they ask for the main differences:

  • Network size - the Internet is ubiquitous (we are not even talking about Earth, since it is also used in orbit, and in the future, perhaps, it will be used on other planets, and this will not limit WAN only to our globe), LAN network is limited apartment, office, enterprise network (the key is not everywhere).
  • The number of users is again a difference in the limitations of the local network.
  • Services - local services(print, files), global services (WWW, global routing).
  • Topology – in the LAN everyone is equal, connected to each other, Peer-to-Peer. A WAN is characterized by client-server connections.


So, if someone asks you how WAN differs from LAN - we list the points above separated by commas and end the conversation - everyone will definitely be happy.

But there is one more point related to technology. We are talking about the WAN port. As a rule, the provider’s cord is connected to it to connect to the Internet. The WAN port makes the outgoing connection to the router. And in this approach, the global concept of LAN and WAN in some cases can blur the boundaries between them)

In this case, the outgoing connection via WAN can be connected to another router in your home ( special cases). To plug external device through the WAN port without dancing with tambourines it will not work.

There is another type of network - MAN (Metro Area Networks). This is something in between - a metropolitan or city network, perhaps a provider. Those. this is a kind of local network between all users, for example, of one provider. As an advantage - high speed between points. File hosting services used to live well on this basis.

Video on the topic

There is no point in describing the rest. For those who want details, it is recommended to watch several videos on the topic for ease of understanding, for example, this one:

And during its installation, each of us dealt with LAN and WAN connectors. They are intended for different purposes, but are used together, which often leads to confusion. Let's figure out what they are and what the difference is between them.

The Internet cable is connected through the WAN socket, and local devices are connected through the LAN.

What is LAN

This type of connection will allow you to combine a certain number of computers located at a short distance from each other into a local environment.

When purchasing a router, you may notice on the back of it there are four identical sockets of the same type. All of them are created with the purpose of connecting several PCs to one access point.

A LAN port is needed if you want to create a group to connect all the equipment inside the house to the Internet. Thus, it is possible to create a network that will cover an area of ​​​​a couple of kilometers, for which they buy a cable with high bandwidth.

What is WAN

Using this type of connection, an external network is created, which represents a large number of groups and users, regardless of their location. The main difference is that the previous format is intended for internal connection of several PCs, and this type of connection is external.

There are many global networks, but the most famous and frequently used is The World Wide Web. This is what most clients prefer different distances, since it is not limited territorially, it is created through telephone wires and more modern technologies.

You probably saw a WAN type connector when purchasing and installing a router - a cable from the provider is connected to it. Collaboration of both ports is that one of them transmits a signal, which is then distributed to devices connected to the router.

Technical points

The main differences between these formats:

  • The first type helps to create an internal network; WAN is used to connect users globally.
  • A local group has a limit on the number of clients and territory, a global group does not.
  • The ports have different data transfer protocols - Ethernet and 802.11 for local and PPP, HDLC, Frame Relay for external.

The user needs to know the difference between these ports when connecting a home router for the Internet. Remember that a LAN socket is necessary to connect computers if there are several of them, and the WAN allows you to receive a signal from the provider.



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