A WAN is a network that covers a very large geographical area, such as a country or even globally, connecting multiple LANs, MANs, or other WANs.
Characteristics:
- Covers broad areas, from cities to countries and continents.
- Uses various transmission technologies, including satellite, fiber-optic, and microwave links.
- Operated by large organizations, governments, or ISPs.
- Slower data transfer speeds compared to LANs and MANs due to distance.
- Requires complex infrastructure and maintenance.
- Example: The Internet, the largest WAN, connects networks worldwide.
Common Uses of WANs
- Corporate Networking:
- Large organizations use WANs to connect offices across different geographical locations.
- E-Commerce:
- Facilitates online transactions and data exchange between global clients and servers.
- Cloud Computing:
- WANs enable access to cloud services, allowing businesses to store and retrieve data efficiently.
- Education:
- WANs support distance learning platforms by connecting learners and educators globally.
