Wide Area Network: Examples of WAN

WAN, the popular word in network, refer to wide area network, is a network which is used to connect different local area networks (LAN). Local area networks are connected to one another through a device called router. There may be used many router to connect large amount of LANs.

The big example of wide area network is internet. On internet we transfer files from one computer to other. There is ftp, http and https protocols are used to transfer files on the internet. Ftp stands for file transfer protocol.

Example of Wide area network (WAN)

• Internet is the example of WAN.

A WAN covers a large geographical area. Most WANs are made from several LANs connected together.

WAN-Wide Area Network Example

• The Internet is a WAN.
• A network of bank cash dispensers is a WAN.
• A school network is usually a LAN.
• LANs are often connected to WANs, for example a school network could be connected to the Internet.
• WANs can be connected together using the Internet, leased lines or satellite links.

WANs-Major Features

1. WANs generally connect devices that are separated by a broader geographical area that cannot be served by a LAN.
2. WANs use the services of carriers, such as telephone companies, cable companies, satellite systems, and network providers.
3. WANs use serial connections of various types to provide access to bandwidth over a large geographic area.
4. WANs are popular and widely used. Internet is a WAN well known for all. Business and government entities effectively work using the WANs that allow them quickly exchange the data between the employees, suppliers, clients in different geographical locations.

Wide area network (WAN) topology

This example above was created in ConceptDraw PRO using the Computer and Networks Area of ConceptDraw Solution Park and shows the Wide area network topology.

More Basic Knowledge about LAN, WAN and MAN

A LAN (local area network) is a group of computers and network devices connected together, usually within the same building. By definition, the connections must be high speed and relatively inexpensive (e.g., token ring or Ethernet). Most Indiana University Bloomington departments are on LANs.

A LAN connection is a high-speed connection to a LAN. On the IUB campus, most connections are either Ethernet (10 Mbps) or Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps), and a few locations have Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps) connections.

A MAN (metropolitan area network) is a larger network that usually spans several buildings in the same city or town. The IUB network is an example of a MAN.

A WAN (wide area network), in comparison to a MAN, is not restricted to a geographical location, although it might be confined within the bounds of a state or country. A WAN connects several LANs, and may be limited to an enterprise (a corporation or an organization) or accessible to the public. The technology is high speed and relatively expensive. The Internet is an example of a worldwide public WAN.

More WAN Topics:

Cisco ONE for WAN-Benefits

LANs vs. WANs

WAN & WAN Devices

How to Connect 2 WAN, 1 LAN through a Cisco Router?