Final answer:
A network with many computers and related equipment is known as a Local Area Network (LAN), a key development in the evolution of computing and inter-device communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
A network consisting of many computers and related equipment connected together is called a Local Area Network or LAN. This type of network is typically confined to a specific geographic area, such as a single building or campus, and allows devices to share resources and communicate more efficiently. The development and evolution of computer networking, starting from IBM's SABRE in the 1960s to the rise of the Internet and personal computing, have transformed how we use technology today. Personal computing has advanced from rare and central computing systems to widespread and personalized devices, with the World Wide Web facilitating a network of interlinked content.