What is a WAN network?

We explain what a WAN network is and the types that exist. In addition, several examples and other types of computer networks.

1. What is a WAN network?

In computer science , it is called the WAN (English acronym:  Wide Area Network , or Wide Area Network ) to the largest computer connections , that is, the most comprehensive and fastest, covering a large geographical portion of the planet, when not to the whole world.

WAN networks  incorporate several smaller networks into one , thus interconnecting users separated by huge distances, with higher transmission rates and with different levels (layers) of data.

This implies the need for machines completely dedicated to the execution of user programs (hosts), the presence of router and switchgear, or the use of sub-network masks to connect several  hosts.

2. Types of WAN network 

WAN networks  can be of different types, for example:

• WAN network by circuits . These are dial-up networks, which receive full dedication of bandwidth while using the telephone line, but are slow and occupy the telephone line.
• WAN network per message . It consists of computers (switches) that accept the traffic of each of the terminals of the network and manage the flow of information through messages (and information in the header of the same) that can be deleted, redirected or automatically answered.
• WAN network by packets . The information in these cases is divided into small parts (packages) and once they reach their destination they are again integrated into the original message.

WAN networks  promise to be the computer integration technology of the future , which allows even more instant communication at all levels of various sectors of the day to day (work, leisure, documentation, shopping, etc.).

3. WAN network examples

A perfect example of a WAN network is the Internet , also known as the 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 applies to national banking networks, which administer secret financial information, or to subscription television networks, which use satellites and other mechanisms to broadcast paid signals to subscribed households.

4. Other types of network

Apart from WAN networks, there are two other types of network based on their scope:

• LAN Networks ( Local Area Network ) . As the name implies (acronym for Local Area Network), these are networks whose scope is limited to a well-defined area and small proportions, such as an apartment, an office, an airplane and even a building. Without public interconnection means, LANs operate as a single location network, although they can serve several users at the same time.
• MAN Networks ( Metropolitan Area Network ) . Its name comes from the acronym in English for the Metropolitan Area Network, and it is high-speed networks and intermediate coverage, covering a larger geographical area than a LAN (or may contain several of them), as a portion of a City or university campus.