Whenever two computers are connected together, you suddenly have what is referred to as a Local Area Network (LAN). Networks are very useful because they allow the connected computers to share things like files, printers, fax machines, scanners, game systems and broadband Internet connections. In the case of broadband networking, a high-speed Internet connection (such as cable, DSL, etc.) is shared between the computers connected on the network, and thus enables all computers to enjoy very fast Internet connection speeds.