School assignment: LAN Configuration and Topology Diagram

Hello!

I was hoping someone here could help me. I have a distance learning school assignment that requires I seek help from a LAN Administrator. "Try these institutions: school board, library, bank" But meh, I figured I'd ask online first.

The assignment:

"The first step is to investigate how a LAN is configured. The second step is to carefully diagram the network topology. What are the parts of the network? What kind of software make the network work? Be sure to include all hardware and software components of the network."

The marking is based off the diagram and labelling of all the hardware/software, but I also wouldn't mind a bit of information on how a LAN is configured. (In not too complex terms.)

Well that's about it, any info and help would be MUCH appreciated!