What is WAN or Wide Area Network ?

What is WAN ?

  WAN or Wide Area Network is a computer network coverage area is very large. For example, a computer network between cities, regions, and even countries. Or can be defined as well as computer networks require routers and public communication channels. Internet is one example of a WAN network. Wide Area Network already includes intercontinental area then called global information network or internet.

   Besides sending packets datagram, the IP network is also known as a connection oriented packet delivery where before the packet is sent, made the connection setup logic of the place of origin to the destination by the process control package with a logical connection request that packages suatui nformation take the same route. This connection mode is called a virtual circuit, but unlike in circuit switched networks that occupy the channel (bandwidth / resources) as a monopoly, the virtual circuit is still in the pattern of use of resources sharing. In this way a sequence of packets can be guaranteed, fixed rate real time continuity is not guaranteed, highly dependent on the capacity and density of traffic in the network. With virtual mode circuit allows a group of the organization / company has a private network (such as network PBX) virtually (called IP VPN / Virtual Private Network), or some sort of network PBX (Private Branch Exchange), but the scope of the area is not limited to such PABX for network built in IP VPN not physically but logically and tissue formation only when needed so that the scope of the private network IP VPN can cover an area of ​​national and even international.

   Network-based packet switched Another widely developed in the US is a network of ATM (asynchronous transfer mode). The difference with the IP network, that the ATM network overall connection mode using the virtual circuit, while on an IP network, the virtual circuit is merely an option. Another difference, packets on a network called the ATM cell always remains the 53 octet (byte) consisting of a 48 octet payload, 5 octet header. While the IP network, the packet size is not fixed. ATM technology has been developed in the United States (not discussed here) .One more thing, that the ATM network is designed based broadband services and can accommodate the service VBR (Variable Bit Rate) in addition to CBR (Constant Bit Rate). While the initial design of IP-based networks and services Narrow Band CBR.

   WAN (Wide Area Network) is a collection of LAN and / or workgroup connected using modem communication devices and the Internet, from / to the central office and branch offices, as well as between branch offices. With this network system, the exchange of data between offices can be carried out quickly and at relatively low cost. This network system can use an existing Internet network, to connect between head office and branch offices or with the Stand Alone PC / Notebook that was in another city or country.

Advantages WAN networks.
1. Server central office can serve as a data bank of branch offices.
2. Communication between offices can use the E-Mail and Chat.
3. Document / File is usually delivered via fax or postal packet, can be sent via E-mail and transfer files from / to the central office and branch offices with a relatively low cost and in a very quick period of time.
4. Data and Updating Data Pooling between offices can be done every day at the specified time.

See(WAN Network Infrastucture) 

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