Local Area Network (LAN) properties: which of the following is a key characteristic of LAN design and operation?

Introduction / Context:
LANs interconnect devices over a limited geographic area and are engineered for high bandwidth, low latency, and straightforward management. A critical design goal is to keep the network independent of any single application, so many applications can run over the same infrastructure without modification.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• LANs should support diverse application traffic (file sharing, voice, video, print).
• Physical and link layers are standardized (e.g., Ethernet, Wi-Fi).
• The question asks for a general characteristic, not a niche optimization.

Concept / Approach:
“Application independent interfaces” means the LAN exposes standardized services and frames that do not depend on any particular application. This decoupling maximizes interoperability and longevity. By contrast, “unlimited expansion” is false—LANs face practical limits (broadcast domains, switch capacity). “Low cost access for low bandwidth channels” describes WAN dial-up more than LANs. “Parallel transmission” is a specific physical-layer technique, not a defining LAN characteristic.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Ethernet’s success stems from a generic frame service used by countless applications and protocols, demonstrating application independence.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming LANs scale indefinitely without segmentation; conflating physical-layer techniques with architectural characteristics.

Final Answer:
application independent interfaces.