When a Network spans 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.

For such situations a wide area network (WAN) must be installed.

The communication between different users of “WAN” is established using leased telephone lines for satellite links and similar channels.

It is cheaper and more efficient to use the phone network for the links.

Definition

A WAN is a telecommunications network or computer network that extends over a large geographical distance/ place. Wide area networks are generally established with leased telecommunication circuits.

Most wide area networks are used for transferring large blocks of data between its users

As the data is from existing records or files, the exact time taken for this data transfer is not a critical parameter.

An example of WAN is an airline reservation system.

Wide area networks are basically packet switching networks.

Characteristic/Features of WAN:

Following are some of the important characteristics of WAN:

• Remote data entry and access is possible.
• Communication facility is provided.
• Centralized information is created and used.
• WAN spans over a large distance.

Advantages of WAN:

It covers a very large geographical area ( state or country). It can use the pre existing PSTN for the links. It is used for applications such as airline booking . A WAN provides Long distance transmission of voice data images and video information.

Types of WAN Connections

As information over the world proceeds to multiply at breakneck speed, arrange suppliers of different sizes (from LAN to WAN) are starting to see a strain on what their networks can bolster. This has come about in modern shapes of information optimization to extend information collection, decrease transfer speeds and solidify servers, among other things.

As WANs are so expensive, present day organizations have been enthusiastic for a more optimized adaptation of a Pale association. Software-defined WANs (SD-WANs) is one arrangement organizations are beginning to turn to, because it can offer assistance to reduce genuine activity issues within the sharing and spreading of information data.

SD-WANs use smart software that can monitor the performance of different WAN connections and then appropriately allocate the data into the right connection for the type of traffic users need.

For example, an organization may have many different forms of WAN telecommunications — from emails and conference calls to data sharing and dedicated server networks — and SD-WANs typically help alleviate the strain from all these connections by choosing the appropriate channel to funnel the data through.

Information requests will proceed to develop exponentially over the coming decades, so more progressed shapes of Faded associations may proceed to be created. Indeed presently, NASA is working on making an interplanetary web for future investigation, and it is as of now employing a troublesome resilience arrange (DTN) for the Universal Space Station. The greatest concern will be tending to the speed of information exchange, as the more prominent the remove between two servers, the longer it'll take for information to induce from point A to point B.

WANs have ended up an basic portion of human communication and trade relations, and as the world proceeds to develop, WANs may alter and create modern shapes of innovation in time, as well.