Local Area Connection
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Local Area Connection Definition
A local area connection is a wired connection between a device and a local area network (LAN). The term is specifically used by older versions of Windows to describe any wired network interface on a device, like a network interface card (NIC). From Windows 8 onwards, these kinds of connections are typically labeled “Ethernet” instead. However, the name “Local Area Connection” can sometimes still be seen on newer versions of Windows if, for example, it gets carried over in an upgrade.
Local Area Connection Profiles
Windows manages network interfaces through connection profiles. A connection profile is simply the list of settings the operating system uses to manage that interface. It typically contains the following:
- IP address: Serves as a unique identifier for the computer on the local area network.
- Subnet mask: Determines which other IP addresses are part of the local area network.
- Default gateway: Usually the IP address of the router, which forwards traffic to the internet or other networks.
- DNS server: Contains a database used to translate domain names, like www.cyberghostvpn.com, into IP addresses.
Prior to Windows 8, the operating system called Ethernet profiles “Local Area Connection profiles.” If there are multiple wired adapters, like Ethernet ports, Windows creates a separate local area connection for each of them.
How to Check a Local Area Connection
There are two ways to check the status of a local area connection on Windows: through the Control Panel or through the settings.
Through the Control Panel
- Open the Control Panel.
- In category view, under Network and Internet, click View network status and tasks. Or, in icon view, click Network and Sharing Center.
- Find and click the link titled “Local Area Connection” with an icon that looks like an Ethernet plug. In newer versions of Windows, this may be labeled “Ethernet” instead.
- In the opened window, click Details.
Through Settings
- On the right-hand side of the taskbar, right-click the connection icon.
- Click Open Network & Internet Settings.
- At the bottom of the opened window, click View hardware and connection properties.
- This opens a list of all connection profiles on the device, including local area connections.
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FAQ
No, a local area network (LAN) is a group of interconnected, physically near devices that can communicate with each other. For example, a home router and all the devices connected to it make up a LAN. A local area connection is what older versions of Windows call a device’s wired connection to a LAN.
Technically, it’s not. While a computer can connect to a LAN router both through a physical cable and via Wi-Fi, a local area connection is a specific Windows term that refers to a wired connection. Most Windows devices have separate settings for local area connections and Wi-Fi connections, called connection profiles.
Yes, it can. This happens when a computer has multiple wired network interfaces, like Ethernet ports. The operating system creates a separate local area connection profile for each of them. That way, it can manage the profiles independently if they connect to different routers. Windows lets users check active local area connections in the Settings app.
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