How will a computer send a packet to a destination host on the same LAN?

When a computer needs to send a packet to a destination host on the same Local Area Network (LAN), it does so directly to the destination host. This process typically involves the computer using the destination host's Media Access Control (MAC) address to ensure that the packet is delivered correctly without needing to route the traffic through any additional devices or services.

In a LAN environment, devices are able to communicate with each other directly at the data link layer, which is supported by Ethernet and similar technologies. When the sending computer knows the MAC address of the target host, it encapsulates the data into an Ethernet frame and sends it over the network directly to that address. This direct communication is facilitated by switches, which manage traffic between devices on the same network segment based on MAC addresses.

Using a router or intermediary server is unnecessary for communication within a single LAN segment, as these devices are intended for routing traffic between different networks. Broadcast packets are also not used for targeted communication; they send data to all devices on the network rather than a specific destination. Thus, directly addressing the destination host is the most efficient and appropriate method for local communication within a LAN.