LOCAL-AREA NETWORKS - EVOLVING FROM SHARED TO SWITCHED ACCESS

Local area networks (LANs) have become pervasive in their application to business, government, and academic data communications. In the Unit ed States alone, by 1993 there were over three million LANs installed. This paper describes how advances in structured cabling systems and e lectronics concentrated in the wiring closet have enabled the evolutio n of LANs toward a dedicated bandwidth model. Due to the growing numbe r of users, LANs are required to provide increased data capacity and i mproved management capabilities. These user requirements are being met by increased functions in the electronic wiring closet that include f ault isolation, remote network management, increased aggregate bandwid th, and virtual LAN capabilities. This paper focuses on present and fu ture user requirements and the influences of emerging LAN switching te chnologies on already installed LANs.