WAN

Definition:
A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a large-scale network that spans a broad geographical area, such as a city, country, or even globally. It connects multiple LANs (Local Area Networks) and other types of networks, enabling communication over long distances.

Key Features:

1. Wide Coverage: WANs cover large distances, ranging from cities to entire countries or even continents.
2. Lower Speed: Data transfer speeds in WANs are generally slower than those in LANs, due to the large distances and the use of public infrastructure like the internet.
3. Higher Cost: Setting up and maintaining a WAN is more expensive compared to a LAN due to the use of leased lines, satellite links, or public networks.
4. Complex Management: WANs require more sophisticated equipment and management to handle the large-scale connectivity and traffic.

Core Components:

• Routers: Used to connect LANs to other networks and to route data between different parts of the WAN.
• Leased Lines: Dedicated communication channels between different locations.
• Internet: Often serves as the backbone of a WAN, linking various LANs and remote locations.

Uses:

• Connecting branch offices or remote locations of a company.
• Accessing data and services over long distances, such as cloud computing.
• Enabling communication between different networks around the world.

Example:
A multinational company with offices in different countries uses a WAN to link its offices, allowing employees to access company resources and communicate over long distances.

Summary:
A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a large-scale network that connects multiple LANs over wide geographic areas, enabling communication and data exchange across cities, countries, or even the world.