What Is WAN?

WAN stands for Wide Area Network. Wide Area Network (WAN) is method of connecting more than one computer on large geographical area. It often covers large area country or continent. Wide Area Network (WAN) contains hosts machines or end system for running user programs. Host machines are interconnected in order to share data throughout the country or continent. These host machines are connected by a communication subnet.  Subnet is responsible to carrying message from host to host. Subnet consists of transmission lines and switching element for transmission of data. Wide Area Network (WAN) used mostly telephone network for communication.  Dial up services are mostly cost effective for connecting across the Wide Area Network (WAN). There are two popular dial ups that are used in Wide Area Network (WAN), dial on demand routing and dial backup. Different types of devices are used that are specific to Wide Area Network (WAN). These devices are WAN switches, access servers, modems, CSU/DSUs, and ISDN terminal adapters. Some other devices that are used in Wide Area Network (WAN) implementation are routers, ATM switches and multiplexers.

WAN stands for wide area network. It is the largest network size. A wide area network is a geographically scattered telecommunication network. The expression distinguishes a broader telecommunication arrangement from a local area network. WANs can interconnect any number of LANs and WANs. They can connect networks across cities states, countries or even the world. Wide Area Networks are usually slower than Local Area Networks and more prone to errors. They also require a lot of special equipment, hence they are costly.