With many advantages of wide area network, there are also some disadvantages associated, which though can be addressed by using latest technologies. It supports various features such a bandwidth limitation. The wan is a network which is a collection of lans and other network types connected using router. Business, as well as education and government entities use wide area networks to relay data to staff, students. A wide area network connects lans that are typically separated by great distances. Managing a large network is complicated, requires training and a network manager usually needs to be employed. The bestknown example of a wan is the internet itself. Protocol, hardware, cabling, topology, and software issues are considered. This ensures that computers and users in one location can communicate with computers and users in other locations. A metropolitan space network man could be a network that interconnects users with pc resources in an exceedingly geographic space or region larger than that lined by even an oversized local area network lan however smaller than the realm lined by a wide area network wan. Wide area networks wan is type of computer network to connect offices which are located in different geographical locations. Mar 02, 2017 this article will discuss the pros and cons of wide area networks. Short for wide area network, a wan is a collection of computers and devices connected by a communications network over a wide geographic area. It is expensive to set up lan because there is special software required to make a server.
A wide area network wan is a geographically distributed private telecommunications network that interconnects multiple local area networks lans. General advantages and disadvantages of wide area network. What are the benefits of wide area network wan acceleration. Accessing advantage over a wide area network friday, january 26, 2007.
They can be private to connect parts of a business or they can be. Wide area network wan comparatively covers wide geographical country or continent area and connecting number of local area network, local area network connected to a wan through the public net work such as internet. The packet switching and circuit switching technologies are effectively used in wans. Aug 29, 2008 the list gets pretty long, because there are obviously numerous benefits to be had if you can reduce traffic youre transmitting to remote locations. A local area network lan is a private computer network that connects computers in small physical areas. Given the wide availability of internet access solutions, some businesses use email and file sharing tools as their primary means of communication. A wide area network wan is a network that exists over a largescale geographical area. Nov, 2018 short for wide area network, a wan is a collection of computers and devices connected by a communications network over a wide geographic area. While files can easily be shared outside a network for example, simply by handing or mailing someone your file on a diskette, the term file sharing almost always means sharing files in a network, even if in a small local area network. Wide area network simple english wikipedia, the free. Local area networks lan and wide area networks wan. The practical definition of a wan is a network that traverses a public network or commercial carrier, using one of several wan. The special administrator is required to maintain and troubleshoot lan for a large office. Another benefit of wide area network is that you can distribute your work to other locations.
Internet is the biggest example of wide area network. In a simple local area wireless network, a bridged architecture is usually adequate. Local area network lan wide area network wan you may also see references to a metropolitan area networks man, a wireless lan wlan, or a wireless wan wwan. Database applications are typically ran inside the firewall of a local area network lan. A network is categories into three types such as local area network lan, metropolitan area network man and wide area networks wan. They are limited to connecting devices which are in his proximity. The book definition of a wan is a network that spans large geographical locations, usually to interconnect multiple local area networks lans. Wide area networks wans encyclopedia business terms. Wide area network technologies overview a wide area network wan is a computer network covering multiple distance areas, which may spread across the entire world. Wan network can use is satellite system, wan routers contain antenna by using antenna it can make data transmission. Lan vs wan the benefits of each network type packetworks. Wide area networks, generally called wans, are mostly public, leased or privatelyowned networks. Within the lan, your devices are connected within one site,campus,where the distance from one device to another is not very long.
The advantages of a wide area network are infinite. If your company is planning on creating a wide area network to boost global communications, its a huge benefit for you to know the advantages and disadvantages of wans. A wan connects different smaller networks, including local area networks lans and metro area. On one hand, it allows you to consolidate resources in one central data center or in larger data centers scattered across your enterprise. A wide area network wan is a computer network that connects computers within a large geographical area comprising a region, a country, a continent or even the whole world. Wans are large communication networks that connect locations over a wide geographical area, including cities, states, countries, and continents. Wide area network wan when network spans over a large distance or when the computers to be connected to each other are at widely separated locations a local area network cannot be used. It supports various features such a bandwidth limitation, latency, packet loss, network disconnection among other wide area network characteristics. A wide area network wan is a data network, usually used for connecting computers, that spans a wide geographical area.
A smallerscale example is a network that connects a. A wan connects different smaller networks, including local area networks lans and metro area networks mans. Also, communication devices like hubs, switches, routers, cables are costly. Wan optimization, also known as wan acceleration, aims to accelerate a broad range of applications and protocols over a wan. This example was created in conceptdraw diagram using the computer and networks area of conceptdraw solution park. File sharing is the public or private sharing of computer data or space in a network with various levels of access privilege. Jan 26, 2007 accessing advantage over a wide area network friday, january 26, 2007. For instance, a laptop may be connected to a wireless mouse. Wans often connect multiple smaller networks, such as local area networks lans or metro area networks mans. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams. There are two prevailing definitions of a wide area network wan. In an enterprise, a wan may consist of connections to a companys headquarters, branch offices, colocation facilities, cloud services and other facilities.
Wide area network advantages and disadvantages of wans. Advantages and disadvantages of networks network types and. As the naming conventions suggest, lans are for smaller, more localized networking in a home, business, school, etc. The book definition of a wan is a network that spans large geographical locations, usually to interconnect multiple local area networks. Feb 21, 2014 download wanem wide area network emulator for free. Local area networks lans and wide area networks wans have much in common, but the differences are enough to make them two separate acronyms in speech and in practice. A wan wide area network is a communications network that spans a large geographic area such as across cities, states, or countries.
Types of area networks lan, man and wan geeksforgeeks. Wans are operated by companies like phonecable companies, service. Such networks cover large areas such as between two neighboring towns or cities. The communication between different users of wan is established using leased telephone lines or satellite links and similar channels. Wans let businesses use standard resources to operate.
It mentions wan advantages or benefits and wan disadvantages or drawbacks. Mar 22, 2018 a wide area network wan is a network that exists over a largescale geographical area. Wide area network essay place an order frame relay is one of the industry standards that utilize packet switching method in a wide area network to specify the physical and logical link layers of the digitized communication. A small office, a single building, multiple buildings inside a campus etc. The easiest way to understand what a wan is to think of the internet as a whole, which is the. Download wanem wide area network emulator for free. Accessing advantage over a wide area network advantage. Wide area network is collection of different local area networks, connect different lan and wan with each other, typically contain a country or region. Wide area networks, or wans, have been around since the early 1990s, but the benefits and. Wide area networks are often established with leased telecommunication circuits. Lan, which stands for local area network, and wan, which stands for wide area network, are two types of networks that allow for interconnectivity between computers. Pdf on wide area network optimization researchgate. Wans often contain a few smaller networks lans, mans, etc.
Investigating the importance of wan technologies information. Eventually, though, a successful business will likely require a more robust data network. One of the biggest disadvantage of the wan is the latency. However, sometimes it is necessary to connect to data through a wide area network wan connection, such as a dedicated connection between offices or the internet. The latest development in this area is software defined wan technology sd wan a specific application of software defined networking. Purchasing the network cabling and file servers can be expensive.
Wide area network essay place an order frame relay is one of the industry standards that utilize packet switching method in a wide area network to specify the physical and logical link layers of the. Advantages and disadvantages of wide area network wan it. The communication between different users of wan is established using leased telephone lines. May 15, 2016 wide area network is collection of different local area networks, connect different lan and wan with each other, typically contain a country or region. Wide area network wan comparatively covers wide geographical country or continent area and connecting number of local area network, local area network connected to a wan through the public net work. Advantages and disadvantages of local area network lan it. Wide area network wan wan or wide area network is a computer network that extends over a large geographical area, although it might be confined within the bounds of a state or. If your company has branches in several locations, a wide area network is a viable option to boost productivity and increase internal communications. A wide area network wan is a telecommunication network that is used for connecting computers and covers a wide geographical area. Wans can be used to connect cities, states, or even countries. Apr 26, 2018 one of the biggest disadvantage of the wan is the latency. Wide area network wan is a computer network that covers a relatively large geographical area such as a state, province or country. A wide area network wan is a telecommunications network that extends over a large geographical area for the primary purpose of computer networking. They can be private to connect parts of a business or they can be more public to connect smaller networks together.
Wide area networks are commonly connected either through the internet or special arrangements made with phone companies or other service providers. While files can easily be shared outside a network for example, simply by handing or mailing someone your file on a diskette, the term file. Wan is made up of two or more local area networks lans or metropolitan area networks mans that are interconnected with each other. Advantages and disadvantages of wide area networks. One of the big disadvantages to having a wan is the cost it can incur. Pdf short 57 page paper on wide area networks prepared for the it. In most cases, the networks in wans all belong to the all same company or school. As the name implies, wans cover large geographical areas. In this new backup approach, backedup data are removed. The managed wan service connects the customers local area network lan to other customer locations, other state agencies including its, and to the internet using. Wide area network definition of wide area network by the.
It covers large geographical area therefore networks can be made between long distances. Advantages of wan disadvantages of wan rf wireless world. It covers large geographical distance compare to lan and man types. A metropolitan space network man could be a network that interconnects users with pc resources in an exceedingly geographic space or region larger than that. The wide area network wan service offers statewide internet protocol ip data communications connectivity at commercially available rates to any authorized government entity.