LAN drivers connect computers in a shared network, directing hardware function. They come in many types and can be installed on a user’s computer or shared server. Troubleshooting may require driver updates or reinstallations.
Local area network (LAN) drivers are software programs used to connect a computer to a network of other computers. When referring to drivers installed on a network server, LAN drivers may also be referred to as network drivers. They direct the function of the hardware used to transfer data to and from computers in the LAN. These drivers come in many types and can be installed on a user’s computer or on a shared server. Network hardware devices, which may require LAN drivers to function, include network routers, modems, network cards, or network card adapters.
A local area network is a group of computers connected via a shared data link. Often found in homes or offices, LAN groups are usually connected computers or servers located in the same general geographic location. Any computer connected to a router is part of a local area network. Hardware used in a local area network can be connected using LAN cables, usually category four (CAT-4) or category five (CAT-5) cables, or wirelessly using a wireless networking device such as a wireless router. Of the many types of networking technology used to transfer data between devices, the most common are ethernet and wireless networks, often called wireless local area networks (WLANs).
A modem is used to connect a network to the Internet through a cable, DSL (digital subscription line), or satellite Internet connection. A router connects several computers, allowing them to exchange data. Routers are often connected to a modem, sharing the Internet connection between computers connected to the router. Network cards are installed in the user’s computer to allow it to communicate with other network devices such as modems, servers and other computers. Network adapters connect to a computer via a universal serial bus (USB) or FireWire jack to adapt a computer without a network card to receive a network connection. The types of LAN drivers used on a shared server include native drivers, io-net drivers, and ported NetBSD drivers.
When problems occur on a network and restarting the network hardware doesn’t help, the next troubleshooting step is often to reinstall or update the drivers for the network hardware. Missing, corrupted, or malfunctioning software drivers can cause a network connection to drop intermittently or completely drop. Most manufacturers include a compact disc with the LAN drivers needed to run the network hardware. Software or LAN driver updates are usually available for download on the hardware manufacturer’s website, often in the “Downloads”, “Support” or “Troubleshooting” sections of the websites.
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