An access network is the name given to the part of the Internet or intranet that is closest to the host or end-system. It connects the end-system to the first router. Examples of access networks are:

• Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN) such as you may find in a University laboratory or at home if you have an Ethernet switch connected to your Broadband modem.
• Wireless (WiFi) router: provides an access point which is usually connected to a wired institional or home network.
• Dial-up modem: such as for data over telephone.
• Broadband: such as ADSL (over telephone lines) or HFC over cable networks.
• Mobile telephone network: provides an access point that uses 3G or GSM networks and provides connectivity for mobile devices over a wide geographic area.

In each case, the so called “last link” will be connected to a router that provides access, using internet protocols, to the wide area network. Thus an access network is the link netween the network edge and the network core.

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