What Does WAN network Mean
We explain what a WAN network is and the types that exist. Also, various examples and other types of computer networks.
What is a WAN network?
In computing , it is called WAN network ( Wide Area Network , that is, Wide Area Network ) to the largest computer connections , that is, the most comprehensive and fastest, which cover a large geographical portion of the world. planet , if not the whole world.
WAN networks incorporate several smaller networks into one , thus interconnecting users separated by enormous distances, with higher transmission rates and with different levels (layers) of data .
This implies the need of machines dedicated entirely to the execution of programs of user (hosts), the presence of devices routers and switches, or masking sub-network for connecting multiple hosts .
It can serve you: Internet
WAN network types
WAN networks can be of different types, for example:
- WAN network by circuits. These are telephone dialing networks, which receive full dedication of the bandwidth while the telephone line is in use, but they are slow and occupy the telephone line.
- WAN network per message. It is made up of computers (switches) that accept the traffic from each of the network terminals and manage the flow of information through messages (and information in their header) that can be automatically deleted, redirected or answered.
- Packet WAN network. The information in these cases is divided into small parts (packets) and once they reach their destination they are again integrated into the original message.
WAN networks promise to be the IT integration technology of the future , allowing even more instant communication and at all levels of various sectors of the day-to-day (work, leisure, documentation, shopping , etc.).
WAN network examples
A perfect example of a WAN network is the Internet , also known as the World Wide Web ( World Wide Web ), which allows connection to a huge set of data available online, from anywhere in the world that has an access point and an ISP ( Internet Service Provider , “ Internet Service Provider ”).
The same occurs with national banking networks, which manage secret financial information, or with subscription television networks , which use satellites and other mechanisms to broadcast paid signals to subscribed households.
Other types of network
Apart from WAN networks, there are two other types of networks based on their reach:
- LAN ( Local Area Network ) networks . As its name indicates (acronym in English for Local Area Network), these are those networks whose reach is limited to a well-defined area of small proportions , such as an apartment, an office, an airplane and even a building. Without public means of interconnection, LANs operate as a single location network, although they can serve multiple users at the same time.
- MAN networks ( Metropolitan Area Network ). Its name comes from the acronym for Metropolitan Area Network, and it is about high-speed networks and intermediate coverage, which cover a larger geographical area than a LAN (or may contain several of them), such as a portion of a city or college campus.
More in: LAN Network