LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., 30 September 2025 –
In 1975, research into local computer networks was in its infancy—a vastly different dynamic than today’s environment where networks power everyday lives. But for the IEEE Computer Society (CS) and the community that supports the IEEE Conference on Local Computer Networks (LCN), that was entirely the point. To this day, they strive to build a conference that adapts to the shifting research landscape and addresses global needs.
“Fifty years ago, it was the early stage of computers,” said Nils Aschenbruck, professor for distributed systems at Osnabrück University in Germany and member of the LCN Steering Committee. “Over the years, networks evolved and what we now call the Internet also evolved from these early local networks. Nowadays, the Internet is critical infrastructure, and that ensures LCN stays relevant.”
Frank Huebner, member of the LCN Steering Committee and former finance chair, concurred. “It used to be that LCN was centered around the internet protocols on the LAN, but LCN became pretty broad to address today’s issues. If you look at the program, you see networking, you see security, you see AI. It includes all of the latest topics.”
Because as today’s technologies evolve and bandwidth demands increase, networks have to shift with them to expand capacity, meet speed requirements, and ensure data security. With the support of IEEE CS and its Technical Community on Computer Communications (TCCC), LCN addresses these emerging topics in its sessions, workshops, demos, and more.
“LCN’s enduring relevance stems from its continuous evolution alongside technological advancements and application landscapes. The conference topics consistently adapt to reflect current trends in research, industry, and consumer interests, addressing the most pertinent issues of the time,” said Katrin Reitsma, director, strategic projects, critical communication networks at Motorola Solutions, and longtime LCN volunteer.
Institutional legacy
As LCN celebrates its 50th anniversary 14-16 October 2025, in Sydney, Australia, the community will bring with it an institutional legacy that spans multiple generations. From PhD candidates to distinguished professors and industry leaders, LCN draws together a close community of individuals traversing all levels of their professional journey.
For instance, speak with anyone who’s been involved in LCN about their first paper presentation at the conference and you will likely hear a story of a mentor or colleague encouraging the submission. “My PhD supervisor was involved in LCN, and he directed us to consider sending a paper submission and mine got accepted,” explained Aschenbruck. “So, I got involved, and now I have my own PhD students, and they are submitting papers to LCN.”
And this involvement comes full circle as new first-time attendees end up becoming more deeply engaged in the conference community.
“The first LCN conference I attended was the 35th LCN in 2010 in Denver, Colo., where I presented research at one of the workshops,” recalled Reitsma. “What kept me coming back was the opportunity to stay engaged with the academic research community across many emerging technology areas.”
Conference family
Institutional knowledge and connection also have played an important role in driving a sense of community at the conference.
“The audience comprises many long-time attendees, and newcomers join the LCN community each year,” said Reitsma. “It is a welcoming community, and the unique conference format encourages extensive discussions and allows for diverse participation, particularly during the highly anticipated poster and demo sessions.”
According to Huebner, cultivating that open, hospitable feel reflects a concerted effort on the part of conference organizers. “The one thing that distinguishes LCN from other conferences is that we have a very deliberate, structured way of organizing committees. People get to know each other, they move up, and they go through different positions. We are very much an open committee where you have a family feel that filters down to the conference overall,” he shared.
The 2025 conference
This year’s LCN conference will take that family feel to the next level through special celebrations that offer reflections on the past with an eye on the future. From video messages from the field’s founding fathers and conference luminaries to onsite celebrations, LCN 2025 will honor its legacy as it looks at what’s next for the community.
In fact, the program features the most relevant topics impacting networks today. From sensor and mobile networks to network security to AI large language models (LLMs) for networks, the conference speaks about the evolution of today’s network infrastructure and what the IEEE CS community can do to meet those needs.
“If you want to run, for example, high-end automotive or robotic applications, you need real-time assurances,” explained Aschenbruck. “This is a big challenge for the network, and it has to be better than ever. That makes it fascinating to continue conducting research in this area.”
Because as long as networks need to evolve to meet new demands, LCN will continue drawing together a tight-knit community of research leaders to solve those challenges. And with the future of networking at stake, that’s a legacy worth its weight in gold.
For more information or to register for LCN 2025, visit ieeelcn.org.