WAN Network: What are they, what types are there and what are these wide area networks used for?

While it is true, the termnet” is used in different areas of everyday life. However, in the computer world it is widely used to refer to the set of equipment that are interconnected and thus, share resources.

In this sense, it is worth noting that it is possible to classify a network in different ways. Either according to its scope, its connection method or the functional relationship of its components. However, experts generally detail two types of networks; LAN networks and WAN networks.

In this post, we want to refer to WAN networks that have a lot of importance when it comes to a network according to your reach. Thus detailing what they really mean, their uses, the types that exist and also what their components are.

What is a Wide Area Network and what is WWAN used for?

As to defining a WAN networkwe can specify that it refers to a large computer connection that allows local networks and equipment to be connected over long distances. Since, they have a remarkable speed and have the ability to cover an extensive geographical portion of the planet.

In this sense, these communication networks are responsible for connecting equipment that is specially designed to run user programs. about thousands of square kilometersthat is, in entire regions, countries and even continents.

Thus, it is appropriate to refer to the Internet as a precise example of a WAN network. Since, this can keep both local networks and equipment thousands of kilometers away communicated. Taking into account that its acronym refers to the English phrase “Wide Area Network”, which means “Wide Area Network”; thus having a powerful objective of interconnecting all the elements that make up the network in question.

Now, referring to the uses of this type of network in computing, it is first relevant to highlight that it can be developed specifically by a company, an organization for private employment or by an Internet provider. In that way, could be used for:

• Cover and traverse great distances, perfectly supporting a significant amount of data traffic. What happens when it comes to Internet service provider companies.
• Control an extraordinary amount of information required and managed by large companies and government organizations. This in the case of private WAN networks.

In short, WAN networks are those that enable the existence of the Internet and public access to all kinds of information. Therefore, today, the presence of these networks is necessary and very significant in the world.

What types of wide area networks are there?

It is no secret to anyone that WAN networks show the ability to be the computer integration technology of the future, given that they can allow instant communication to be even more effective in the world and in different sectors that develop day after day, such as: work, documentation, shopping, entertainment, etc. Therefore, different types of WAN networks could be developed.

However, today, wide area networks They are basically classified into three very specific types that we indicate below:

by packages

As its name indicates, the information handled by this WAN network is divided into small parts or portions. In this way, when they reach their destination, they are integrated into the original message again. Therefore, can be faster than those mentioned above.

by circuits

As for this type of WAN, it refers to those dial-up networks that are in charge of receiving all the delivery of the bandwidth at the moment in which the telephone line is used. Therefore, they can occupy said line and thus, they are characterized by be really slow.

By message

It is a type of WAN that is made up of several computers that accept the traffic of each of the terminals of the network in question. In addition to this, they manage the flow of information through messages, specifically. Which are answered automatically, redirected or deleted.

Components of a WAN network What is needed to create one?

In order to create a WAN network, typical components that include the same. Bearing in mind that a network of this class can basically be detailed as a group of individual networks that connect over vast geographic distances.

In this sense, a wide area network is made up of:

• Two or more networks independent local area. These are commonly known as LANs.
• The required amount of routers connected to each LAN.
• It is also very valuable to have access devices to the link connected to each router. Such devices are identified as LADs.
• Wide area inter-network links that can be connected to each LAD used. It should be noted that the term “inter-network” refers to the combination of routers, LADs, and links.

Now, this combinationinter-network” when combined with LANs or independent local area networks, it is what allows the creation of the WAN network. Therefore, all the indicated components are absolutely necessary to achieve this, since, with the minimum lack of any of them, the operation of the network would be truncated.

Apart from this, it is appropriate to indicate that the LADs or link access devices play a very important role in the creation of a WAN. Since, they are the ones that have the ability to convert the signals to transmit them from the LAN in a format that is compatible with the wide area inter-network link.

Thus, the clearest examples of LAD devices are the following:

• Modem
• Terminal Adapter (AT)
• Data service unit/channel service unit (DSU/CSU)
• Frame-Relay access device (FRAD)
• Packet assembler/disassembler (PAD)

Further indicating that the connections between these devices must be point to point via the intermediate network of a network service provider. Therefore, they communicate over a telecommunications circuit that can be permanent (data line contracted from a provider) or temporary (public switched telephone network), but always directly.