The maximum distance for a Local Area Network (LAN) depends on the type of cabling used.
- Ethernet: The most common type of LAN uses twisted-pair cabling. The maximum distance for standard Ethernet is 100 meters (328 feet).
- Fiber Optic: Fiber optic cabling can transmit data over much longer distances. The maximum distance for fiber optic LANs can reach up to several kilometers.
However, these are just theoretical limits. In practice, the actual maximum distance can be affected by factors like cable quality, network traffic, and environmental conditions.
For example, if you have a lot of data traffic on your network, the signal strength may degrade over longer distances, leading to performance issues. Additionally, interference from electrical equipment or other sources can also impact the signal quality.
Therefore, it is important to choose the right type of cable and ensure proper installation to achieve the best possible performance and reliability for your LAN.