Wide Area Networks (WAN)
WAN is Short for Wide Area Networks. WAN networks are expensive and are generally not owned by any single organization. It belongs to an entire country or even a continent.
These are used to telecommunicate around a larger area. WAN networks are required if you have to do any kind of work online. With the increase in technology and more and more people getting hooked to internet connections, WAN helps to carry this load in high traffic networks at a constant speed.
WAN lets us connect privately. There is various way to get on a WAN network which lets individuals or office workers connect to their Higher Officials that can be at any place in the world. WAN uses Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), Private Network Lines, Virtual Private Network lines. It can be found in Wireless networks and the internet. Satellite Mediums are used for WAN networks.
WAN connects smaller networks to different locations and unifies them as one different network. WAN is created and maintained by telecommunication carriers. WAN Architecture depends upon your preference for the connection. There are different protocols to be checked before selecting it.
WAN Protocols are the rules decided to carry out communication over the WAN network. Earlier the most sought-after protocol in using WAN is the X.25. This protocol works by using the PSE of hardware and switching the traffic to sites that connect it. It also has physical links with ISDN {Integrated Services Digital Network} or the telephone services.
Every Protocol gives rise to a different kind of WAN network. WANs were started as meshed networks and later on with advancement in technology the WAN networks architecture built got sophisticated with ATM, MPLS, Frame Relay, etc. These are the well known packet switch services and are a bit expensive. That’s why some of the providers try to combine a few of them to cut down the costs.
Local Area Networks (LAN)
LAN is a communication created between devices that are connected with each other. It is a private network and is owned by a private company and not for the public in general.
It is created to focus on small areas and dedicated spaces. It can be found in schools, Hospitals, Offices, College campuses, Hostels, and so on.
When compared to WAN and MAN, LAN has a short propagation delay.
LAN networks architecture is planned and maintained by the specific company or organization. They have an IT group dedicated to checking its functioning.
Now that we have understood what WAN and LAN networks are, let us see what differentiates them.
What are the Differences between WAN and LAN networks?
Many a times we find ourselves confused between the WAN and the LAN.
There are some aspects that we can remember to check and differentiate them apart from each other.
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Area of coverage:
WAN networks are spread in very Wide areas like the whole country or continent.
LAN networks are local and are concentrated in smaller regions when compared to the WAN network like the Schools or hospitals.
At times WAN networks are combined with the LAN network in that area.
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Ownership:
WAN network is owned by multiple Public organizations.
LAN network is owned by a single Private organization and is limited only to their building or campus. A home wifi router works on LAN.
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Speed of network
WAN has high coverage but low speed when compared to LAN.
LAN covers a smaller area but gives very high speed.
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Principles of operation:
We have seen that WAN works intending to transmit the information from one point to another, Whereas LAN works to broadcast the information.
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Depends on each other:
With the technology, LAN networks are getting more advanced, but there are still some limitations to it like very large areas or endless endpoints. This is where the WAN swoops in takes up the charge to balance it.
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Architecture:
WAN has a complicated design so its maintenance is very difficult and needs an organized method to do it.
LAN has a very simple design making it very easy to maintain.
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Propagation Delay and Congestion:
WAN has a longer propagation delay and also has more congestion as it is spread over large area. LAN on the other hand has a short propagation delay and is less congested.
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Medium for transimission:
WAN uses satellite mediums or the PSTN links to transmit the communication between two points.
LAN transmits its data via a cable, generally a UTP cable.
Conclusion:
Every Internet connection is a WAN. But they are merely collections of LANs that can be Private and Semi-Private. We have business spread across different states, then WAN is used to transfer our data across the branches.
We hope that this article has helped you.
