Which type of network, generally we establish, when we connect 20 computers in our school's computer lab, using some additional networking devices and wired cable?

Correct option is B

Connecting ~20 computers within a single building (school lab) using switches/routers and wired Ethernet forms a Local Area Network (LAN). LANs cover small geographic areas—rooms, floors, or campuses—and provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity. They typically use Ethernet standards (e.g., 1 Gbps or higher) and private IP addressing with a single gateway to the internet. Central devices (switches/Wi-Fi APs) aggregate clients; a router handles external access. Management may include DHCP, DNS, and user policies. Hence, a school lab setup is a classic LAN.
Important Key Points
1. Scope: LAN = small/local area (room/building); MAN = city/metropolitan; WAN = large/geographically dispersed; PAN = very short-range personal devices.
2. Media: Commonly copper (Cat5e/Cat6) or fiber; often combines with Wi-Fi for mobility.
3. Performance: High bandwidth (1–10 Gbps in modern labs) and low latency.
4. Topology: Usually star or extended star using Ethernet switches; router/firewall at the edge.
5. Use Cases: File sharing, print services, centralized authentication, internet access for students.
6. Advantages: Cost-effective, easy to manage locally, secure segmentation via VLANs.
Knowledge Booster
· Why not (a) PAN? Personal Area Networks link a few devices around a single person (Bluetooth, USB)—too small in scope.
· Why not (c) MAN? MAN spans multiple buildings or districts in a metro area—beyond a single school lab.
· Why not (d) WAN? Wide Area Networks connect across cities/countries (e.g., the internet, multi-campus links), far larger than one lab.