Local Area Networks: An Introduction to the Technology, Second Edition is intended for those who want to become more familiar with local area networks (LANs) without facing the challenge of a 400-page text. The goals of the book are to give prospective LAN users or purchasers familiarity with the concepts involved and to provide a head start for reading more detailed texts. Since LAN product offerings are constantly changing, a deliberate attempt has been made to emphasize the general principles, operating characteristics, and problem areas of LANs, rather than cite specific product examples.