The telephone as a local area network

Abstract

A local area network (LAN) is an information system for data transfer among office system terminals, cluster controllers or host systems, via an interconnecting medium, within the bounds of a single office building, building complex or campus. During the late seventies it seemed likely to become the answer to a data manager's prayers—but hardware deficiencies allowed it to disappear from view. As interconnection protocols improve‐that is, as the rules governing information flow become standardised—and prices drop, LANs will become a universal element in the office.