L

LAN (local area network)

A computer network that spans a relatively small area, generally confined to a single building or group of buildings.

LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol)

A protocol that helps manage information about authorized users on a network such as names, phone numbers, addresses, and what a user is and is not allowed to access. LDAP is vendor- and platform-neutral, working across otherwise incompatible systems.

LED (light-emitting diode)

A small indicator light on a networking device that indicates status and other information about the device.

link

See hyperlink.

Linux

An open source version of the UNIX operating system.

loopback interface

A special type of interface that allows you to make network connections to yourself, using IP. This convention, which all Internet-aware applications expect and utilize, has a variety of purposes, including routing and application testing.