What distinguishes a Local Area Network (LAN)?

A Local Area Network (LAN) is primarily characterized by its ability to connect a group of devices that are located within a limited geographical area, such as a single building or a campus. This proximity allows LANs to achieve high access speeds due to the reduced distance data must travel and the limited number of devices competing for bandwidth. The physical connections (like Ethernet cables) provide the infrastructure needed to support these high speeds effectively, making them ideal for local communication needs.

While other types of networks, such as Wide Area Networks (WANs), span larger geographical areas and may offer more extensive connectivity, they typically do not match the speed and efficiency of a LAN due to the longer distances involved. LANs are specifically designed for short-range communication, which inherently limits the physical area they cover but maximizes performance. This makes option B the correct choice, reflecting the nature of a LAN as a high-speed network that operates effectively within a restricted geographic space.