Local Area Network (LAN)
LAN is a communications network that serves user within a confined geographical
area, usually a building. The “clients” area the users workstation. The servers hold
programs and data that are shared by the clients.
In daily hospital routines, networks play important role, allowing data (e.g. images)
to be sent from one computer or department to another. A hospital network can link
numerous wards, departments, and buildings. Since it connects a limited number of
computers, such network is called a local area network (LAN).
Example: In radiology for instance the PACS-server, a reading workstation, and CT
scanner are parts of the LAN. Being as complex as it is, the clinical network can be
extended across different buildings.