WAN-derlust
2. The Vast Expanse of WANs
Now, let's talk about WANs. Wide Area Networks, as the name suggests, cover much broader geographical areas. Think of it as connecting multiple LANs across cities, countries, or even continents. The internet itself is the ultimate WAN, a network of networks that spans the globe.
WANs utilize various technologies to connect these disparate LANs. These can include things like fiber optic cables, satellite links, and even good ol' fashioned telephone lines (though those are becoming less common). The important thing is that WANs are designed to handle long-distance communication and often involve different service providers and infrastructure than your local Ethernet network.
The internet, as a global WAN, uses a whole range of tech including complex protocols, routers, and other specialized equipment. The scale is huge. Think about every website you visit, every email you send, and every cat video you watch — all traversing this vast network. That's the power (and potential for procrastination) of a WAN at work.
WANs usually involves costs associated with service providers, infrastructure, and bandwidth usage. WAN's scalability allows businesses and organizations to connect across diverse locations, enabling collaboration, data sharing, and access to resources globally.
