# local subrings of matrix ring

When is the subring (containing 1) of a matrix ring $M_n(k)$ over a field $k$ is local? I would be grateful for every reference concerning this matter, Thank you!

-
Do you suppose that these subrings are also $K$ algebra? If not subrings of $K$ (which may be local) may complicate things. For $n=1$, you are asking the characterization of all local subrings of a commutative field. – Name Mar 7 '13 at 14:39
Yes, I mean these subrings are also algebras over $k$. Actually I am interested in finite dimensional local rings over $k$. Any local ring $A$ can be embedded into $M_d(k)$ where $d=dim_k(A)$, but what is the minimal $n$ such that $A$ can be embedded into $M_n(k)$? Are there any estimates known? – Alexander Mar 9 '13 at 19:19

The ring of matrices $\left( \begin{array}{cc} a & b \\\\ 0 & a \\ \end{array} \right).$
The idea of @boris-novikov shows that the algebra of all upper triangular matrices such that the entries of the main diagonal are equal, is a local ring. The dimension of this algebra is $\frac{n^2-n}{2}+1$. I am wondering if one can find a local subalgebra of $M_n(k)$ whose dimension is greater than this number.