A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a type of telecommunications network that extends over a large geographic area. It is used to connect Local Area Networks (LANs) and other types of networks together so that users and computers in one location can communicate with users and computers in other locations. WANs are often established with leased telecommunication circuits. WANs can be vital for international businesses, but they are also essential for everyday use, as the internet is considered the largest WAN in the world. Some key features of WANs include:
- WANs can facilitate communication, the sharing of information, and much more between devices from around the world through a WAN provider.
- WANs are used to connect office networks together, and the worlds largest WAN is the internet because it is a collection of many international networks that connect to each other.
- WANs allow organizations to communicate between branches, share information, and stay connected.
- WANs can be privately owned or leased as a service from a third-party service provider, such as a telecommunications carrier, internet service provider, private IP network operator, or cable company.
In summary, a WAN is a network of networks that spans regions, countries, or even the world, and is used to transmit data over long distances and between different networks.
