C27 1 hr
LAN, WAN, and IoT network devices
How local and wide-area networks support IoT, and the devices that build them.
LAN and WAN
- LAN — a local network, usually one building or campus. Fast, low latency, privately managed.
- WAN — connects sites over larger distances, often through a provider.
An IoT deployment usually has a LAN at the edge (sensors to gateway) and a WAN link from the gateway to the internet or cloud.
Network devices
| Device | Role |
|---|---|
| Switch | Connects devices within a LAN |
| Router | Connects networks and chooses paths |
| Gateway | Translates between IoT protocols and the wider network |
| Access point | Provides wireless connectivity |
| Firewall | Filters traffic between zones |
Check your understanding
- Is a home sensor network a LAN or a WAN?
- What extra job does an IoT gateway perform compared with a router?