| A Wide Area Network is a type of a computer | | | | and received simultaneously. |
| network which covers a large area. By large area, it is | | | | With the help of Wide-Area-Network, common |
| meant that the area may expand beyond metropolitan, | | | | resources are used by one company. For example, if |
| regional or even national boundaries. | | | | a person buys prescription drugs from one store in the |
| Wide Network in very simple language, connects two | | | | UK, his entry is done in a computer and after that, he |
| or more Local Area Networks via devices, which are | | | | she may buy that drug from any branch of that chain |
| routers or function like routers. The users at many | | | | of pharmacies in the UK. Similar is the case of banks |
| different locations of a Wide Area Network are | | | | where people used to cash money previously only |
| connected to each other via one central server. This | | | | from their designated bank branches. However, now, |
| server can alone serve all the computers on a | | | | they can cash their money from any branch of that |
| network. | | | | bank with the help of online banking. |
| All the computers in a Wide Network are connected | | | | Wide-Area-Network has made life and communication |
| to the central database management system of a | | | | very easy. Distances have been reduced to a great |
| server. With the help of this central database system, | | | | extent. Moreover, due to the VPN technology (which |
| all the computers in the Wide Area Network save | | | | has been built on the basis of the principle of Wide |
| data at real time and then send input results to the | | | | Area Network), the employees can take their work |
| central server to receive output results at that very | | | | home and can even store and share it online. |
| moment. | | | | Having said this, it must also be known that |
| There are four types of Wide-Area-Network | | | | Wide-Area-Networks have some negative aspects as |
| connection options: leased-line connection, | | | | well. Security is one of the major risks for people and |
| circuit-switching connection, packet-switching | | | | companies using Wide-Area-Networks. Anyone can |
| connection or cell-relay. The leased line is the most | | | | access your computer with the help of your IP. |
| classic type of Wide Area Network, where there is a | | | | Moreover, installing Wide Area Networks in places |
| point-to-point connection between two computers. It is | | | | such as institutions and business companies require |
| mostly used for small scale companies and colleges. | | | | money, resources and frequent maintenance services. |
| Circuit-switching is another type of | | | | To conclude, Wide Area Networks has brought |
| Wide-Area-Network. In this type, a circuit is created | | | | revolution in our lives. It has helped the world to |
| between end-points and an example of this is a dial up | | | | communicate faster and efficiently; and has also made |
| connection. Another feature of Broad Network is | | | | the life of people in general, easy by providing online |
| packet-switching, where multiple sets of data are sent | | | | facilities which no one ever thought of 30 years back. |