Advantages and Disadvantages Of WAN

A wide network of information that is not connected to a single location is referred to as a wide area network (or WAN). WAN can enable communication, information exchange, and much more between devices worldwide.

Given that the Internet is regarded as the greatest WAN in the world, WANs can be significant for global businesses in addition to being necessary for daily use. Learn more about WANs, their applications, how they differ from other networks, and how they may benefit both organizations and individuals by continuing to read.

What is WAN (Wide Area Network)

Wide Area Networks, as was previously said, are a type of telecommunications network that may link devices from various areas and all over the world. The largest and most popular type of computer network currently available is WAN.

These networks are frequently created by service providers, who then rent out their WANs to organisations like enterprises, universities, governments, or the public. If these clients have access to a functioning WAN, they can use the network to connect with other users or to relay and store data, regardless of where they are located.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and other types of connectivity, including lines, wireless networks, cellular networks, and Internet access, can offer access. International enterprises can complete their necessary everyday tasks without delay, thanks to WAN.

To share data, communicate with co-workers, or maintain connectivity to the organization's largest data processing center, employees can access a company's WAN from anywhere. Certified network specialists assist businesses with the maintenance of their internal wide area networks and other essential IT equipment.

What function does the WAN connection serve?

• Organizations would be confined to regions or restricted locations if WAN connections didn't exist. They wouldn't be able to operate inside their building. Still, expansion outside of it wouldn't be viable due to the high infrastructure expenses for most businesses, whether it be to other cities or even other countries.
• WANs provide communication, information sharing, and branch-to-branch connectivity as businesses expand and go global.
• A WAN enables workers to access the data required to perform their jobs while on the road for business.
• WAN also enables companies to share information with partners, such as B2B clients or customers, as well as with customers and partners.
• The public is given access to WANs, yet they also offer a crucial function. The WAN is often used by university students to access databases at libraries or do research. People depend on WAN for communication, banks, shopping, etc., every day.

There are two main types of WAN connections -

1. Point-to-Point WAN
2. Switched WANs

#1: Point-to-Point WAN

Direct contact between two fixed points is provided by point-to-point communication. A point-to-point wide area network (WAN) typically has two end nodes that are connected to separate leased lines.

A router on the network is connected to a Channel Service Unit (CSU) in the nearby customer premises via a serial transmission interface, such as V.35. The CSU provides the interface between the router and the leased line of the telco. Similar configurations are used for remote customer premises. Point-to-point WAN networks only contain two end nodes. Hence there is no need to provide addressing for them at the data link layer

Point-to-point WAN connections often use High-Level Data Link Control (HDLC), Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), or one of their derivatives, such as Point-to-Point Tunnelling Protocol (PPTP).

#2: Switched WAN

The Switched WAN has no end nodes. A mesh of point-to-point networks known as a switched WAN network allows access to numerous end nodes. A switched WAN can be either a packet- or circuit-switched network.

Examples of WAN (Wide Area Network)

A network that covers a wide geographic region is known as a wide area network or WAN. The instances that follow serve as illustrations.

I. Mobile Internet

a 4G network that serves urban regions throughout a region or nation.

II. Last mile

Consumers in hundreds of cities can access home internet services thanks to a telecom company's fiber-optic home connections.

III. Personal Network

Forty-four offices and facilities, including data centers, are linked by a private network run by a bank that spans the entire country. Several dedicated leased lines from various telecom providers are used to implement the network.

IV. Commercial Services

25 countries are home to networks owned by a major telecom company. They offer numerous services, such as international private leased circuits that let customers connect facilities in other countries using dedicated lines.

V. Internet

A wide area network is an internet itself.

Features of Wide Area Network

• Wide area network is the largest network.
• With the help of WAN, two countries can also be connected.
• Thousands of computers can also be connected through a wide area network.
• Since WAN is a very large network, the speed of data transmission in it is less as compared to other networks.
• Initially, the cost of building a WAN network is high.

WAN advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the WAN:

• Boost effectiveness. Because it can utilize all available bandwidth and capacity, the centralized IT infrastructure can offer its consumers a superior service. You may communicate information more quickly and effectively with this.
• Simple communication while speaking online with someone in a different nation or even another continent, you do not need to be concerned about the speed of your network connection. While maintaining a high level of security and anonymity, WAN technology enables you to deliver messages very swiftly and effortlessly.
• Broad network coverage allows you to speak with anyone on the earth through your computer or cell phone any time of day or night because this technology spans wide territories and geographical locations. You will get instant access to millions of people using this technology, wherever they may be in the world!
• Disseminate information over a wide area. With the aid of this technology, you can effortlessly exchange information with anyone, anywhere in the globe, without having to worry about your internet connection speed slowing down due to a lack of bandwidth or capacity for all simultaneous users. You can share software and computer resources with others through WAN networks.
• You have the option to download updated files and data from the server using WAN. If the server's data is updated, all linked devices can quickly access the updated file.
• Today, business people can sell their items online not only in their city, state, or nation but also in foreign nations using WAN networks.
• The WAN is the largest network, and it can also connect two countries.
• We may securely store all our files and data on a single server computer with the aid of WAN. The information saved in this server is accessible by other computers linked to the WAN.
• Since WANs have a wider coverage area than LANs and MANs, their bandwidth is also higher than other networks.

The disadvantages of the WAN

• WAN confronts more security concerns than LAN and MAN since it has more technologies interconnected to one another. This might create a security hole that invites malicious assaults and identity theft. Additionally, WAN has broad coverage that users of other machines may exploit badly.
• The Demand for Security Options. As was already discussed, WAN regularly has security problems. Probably because of data transfer, which hackers may simply access. Therefore, the firewall must be turned on on every PC. Additionally, there is a potential that harmful attacks will occur. Antivirus software must, therefore, also be installed.
• Instalment Fees. Due to their geographic breadth, WANs are, by default, complicated and complex. As a result, they cost money to set up. The acquisition of routers, switches, and security tools is necessary for setting up a WAN.
• Connectivity Issues. There are some places, particularly in distant areas, where there is no adequate energy supply or line structure. Customers frequently experience troubles with disconnection as a result. Customers must purchase a dedicated line from the ISP to get rid of this.
• Resolving Problems. It takes longer and is more difficult to troubleshoot WAN problems. Due to their extensive geographic coverage, it might be challenging to identify the precise reason for network problems. Additionally, WAN lines are buried beneath the ocean. It can be difficult to repair those wires if they break because it takes a lot of resources.
• Maintenance Problems. WAN maintenance is a challenging operation to complete. The toughest problem of all is specifically maintaining a data centre that is open around the clock. It is a full-time job that requires support from network technicians and administrators.