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A wide area network (WAN) connects devices or smaller networks across a broad geographic area. It often links local area networks (LANs) in separate homes, offices, or other locations; the Internet is the most familiar example.
What does WAN mean?
A WAN is a network that extends beyond a local area to connect users, devices, or networks over a wider geographic area. Cisco defines it as “a collection of local-area networks (LANs) or other networks that communicate with one another” (Cisco). Cloudflare similarly describes a WAN as a network that extends over a large geographic area, usually connecting multiple LANs (Cloudflare).
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There is no single distance threshold that separates a WAN from a LAN. The useful distinction is scope: a LAN serves a local area such as a home, building, or office, while a WAN connects across those local boundaries.
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How does a WAN work?
Devices send data in packets, which include addressing information. Routers use that information to forward packets between networks toward their destination. The connections between locations may use telecommunications-provider infrastructure or Internet connectivity, depending on how the WAN is designed (Cloudflare; Cisco).
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Examples of WANs and WAN connections
The Internet
The Internet is a vast collection of interconnected networks, making it a familiar large-scale WAN example. A WAN does not have to be a private corporate network.
A network connecting multiple sites
An organization can use a WAN to connect the LANs in offices located in different places, allowing users and systems at those locations to communicate. Routers help move traffic between the networks.
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Ways to connect locations
WANs can use different types of connectivity. Examples include leased lines, cellular and satellite connections, VPNs, and IP tunnels. These are options, not a complete list or a guarantee of any particular performance. Availability and results depend on the service and location (Cisco; Cloudflare).
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| Network type | Typical scope | Example |
|---|---|---|
| LAN (local area network) | A local area, such as a home, building, or office | Devices connected within one office |
| WAN (wide area network) | A broad geographic area; often connects separate LANs | A network connecting offices in different locations, or the Internet |
The boundary is about geographic scope, not a fixed mileage limit. A WAN may connect LANs using provider links or Internet-based connections.
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What is SD-WAN?
SD-WAN means software-defined wide area network. It is a software-based approach to managing WAN connectivity: software can apply traffic policies and manage connections over available links. It is a way to manage a WAN, not a physical connection type, and not every WAN is an SD-WAN. Cisco describes SD-WAN as using virtualization, application-level policies, and overlay networks; Cloudflare notes that this architecture can work across multiple hardware platforms and connectivity options (Cisco; Cloudflare).
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There is no universally best WAN link or design. When comparing options, consider whether connectivity is available at each location, the bandwidth and latency the work requires, reliability, security requirements, operational management, and cost. The right balance depends on the locations, services, and needs involved.
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A WAN router can help connect networks and route packets between WAN locations. The equipment needed depends on the design; a consumer router by itself should not be assumed to establish a multi-site enterprise WAN.
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