What is Wide Area Network?

WAN stands for Wide Area Network, which is similar to LAN, but it exists over a large-scale geographical area. A WAN connection ensures that computer systems and users in one location can communicate with computer systems and users situated at other locations. The server implementation of this network can be done either with the help of public transmission or a private network.

Many wide area networks spread around long distances via telephone lines, satellite links and fiber optic cable. A WAN is composed of several smaller LANs that propagate the communication between the clients and users. Wide Area Networks are similar to a banking system, where several branches across different cities are interconnected to share their official data. In addition, TCP/IP is the protocol used for a WAN in combination with other devices like routers, switches, firewalls and modems.