What Is a WAN?
a WAN — a Wide Area Network — connectivity between geographically separate sites, from branch offices to continents; the internet is the biggest WAN of all.
How it works
WAN links traditionally used carrier circuits (MPLS, leased lines) and increasingly ride broadband/internet with VPN or SD-WAN overlays. Compared to LANs: longer distances, higher latency, usually lower bandwidth per rupee, and dependence on providers.
Why it matters
WAN design — connecting branches reliably and affordably — is a major CCNP theme (MPLS, DMVPN, SD-WAN). Even CCNA expects the LAN/WAN distinction and where routers sit at the boundary.
Frequently asked questions
What is a WAN in simple terms?
The network between locations — linking offices, cities or countries — as opposed to the network within one building.
Is the internet a WAN?
Yes — the largest one, interconnecting networks worldwide.
What is SD-WAN?
A modern overlay that builds and manages encrypted WAN paths over any transport (broadband, LTE, MPLS) with central policy control.
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