What Is WAN and How Does It Function?

What is a WAN, and why is it significant compared to other types of computer networks, such as Local Area Networks (LANs) or Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)? A wide-area network (WAN) is a system that connects multiple LANs or other networks, allowing them to communicate with one another. Without WANs, telecommuting, creating unified networks for organizations with multiple locations, and many online activities would be impossible.

In this article, we will go over WAN in great detail. But, before we go any further, let’s go over the topics we’ll be covering in this article:

Table of Content (TOC)

• What is WAN?
• Common examples of a WAN connection
• How do WAN Connections Function?
• WAN Network Technologies
• Wide Area Network Protocols
• Advantages of Using WAN
• Disadvantages of Using WAN

What is WAN? 

A wide-area network (WAN) is a collection of interconnected local-area networks (LANs) or other networks. This network is not bound to a single location and allows communication, information sharing, and other functions between devices all over the world.

You can lease a private WAN infrastructure as a service from a third-party provider such as an internet service provider or cable company. Large businesses frequently use WANs to connect their office networks; each office usually has its LAN, which connects via a WAN. Wide-area networks are the backbone of an enterprise in today’s world. Companies can use WANs for a variety of tasks, such as:

• Use voice and video to communicate.
• Run or host internal applications.
• Access data storage and backup data remotely, etc.

Are you interested in learning about the Local Area Network? If so, read the article on what LAN is. 

Common Examples of a WAN Connection 

Some of the common examples of a wide area network connection are:

WAN Connection Type	Description
Leased Lines	Dedicated point-to-point connection for consistent and secure data transfer between two locations.
Fiber Optic Networks	High-speed connections using fiber optic cables, often used for long-distance communication.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)	Internet connection over traditional telephone lines, suitable for small offices and homes.
Satellite	Provides connectivity in remote areas using satellites; offers slower speeds and higher latency.
Cellular Networks (4G/5G)	Wireless WAN connection using mobile network towers, enabling connectivity for mobile devices and remote areas.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)	Securely extends a private network over a public network using encrypted connections.
MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching)	A private network solution directing data based on labels for efficiency and reliability.
Internet	Global network connecting millions of private, public, academic, and business networks.

How do WAN Connections Function?

WANs are either point-to-point, with a direct connection between two sites, or packet-switched, with data transmitted in packets over shared circuits. Point-to-point WAN service can use either analog dial-up lines or modems to connect the computer to the phone line. Local telephone companies and long-distance carriers are both point-to-point WAN service providers.

Packet-switched network services are typically chosen by organizations with low data volumes or multiple sites for which multiple dedicated lines would be prohibitively expensive.

WAN Network Technologies

In the design of a WAN network, two technologies are used, namely:

Circuit switching: All messages will take the same path in a circuit-switched network. And resources along that path will be reserved for this connection. As a result, there is no need to keep track of the fragmentation because the entire message is sent as a single unit.

Let’s take a look at the figure for a better understanding:

Assume User 1 wants to use the network; it must ask for the request in order to obtain it, and then User 1 can communicate with User 3. If User 2 attempts to communicate with User 4 during the connection phase, the network will send a busy signal.

Packet switching: In a packet-switched network, the outgoing link determines the size of the packet, and these packets may take a different path. At the destination, these packets are collected and reassembled.

Now, assume User 1 wants to communicate with User 3 and User 2 wants to communicate with User 4. Then in this type of network, it is possible to do so at the same time.

You can also explore – What is the Difference Between LAN and WAN?

Wide Area Network Protocols

Some of the most common WAN protocols are:

Protocol	Description
Frame Relay	Sends data between LANs or WAN endpoints; defines the physical and data-link layers of telecommunications channels using packet switching.
ATM	Asynchronous Transfer Mode encodes data into fixed-sized cells using asynchronous time-division multiplexing.
PoS	Packet over SONET converts IP packets into SONET frames, optimizing for lower packet header overhead and high transmission rates.
IP Suite	The Internet Protocol suite enables all web devices to connect and communicate with each other simultaneously.
MLS	Multiprotocol Label Switching transits traffic using the shortest path based on "labels" rather than network addresses.

You can also explore – What is Wireless Networking?

Advantages of using Wide Area Network

Some of the advantages of using a wide area network are:

• Covers a broader geographic area.
• It benefits the global market and business.
• IT infrastructure is centralized.
• Increase your privacy.
• Assists global markets and businesses.
• Allows users to share resources and application software.
• Allows you to send messages to anyone else on the network very quickly.

Disadvantages of using Wide Area Network

Some of the disadvantages of using a wide area network are:

• It is very expensive because we must pay each time we transfer data.
• Troubleshooting WAN can be time-consuming and challenging.
• Wide Area Network is insecure and untrustworthy.
• Because it is a public network, it is heavily reliant on a third party.
• The network is difficult to maintain and requires skilled technicians and network administrators.
• It has more security issues than LAN because it uses more technologies and has a wider coverage area.

Conclusion

This article covered WAN in great detail, including various topics, such as what is WAN, its examples, its working, protocols, technologies, and many more.