General Advantages and Disadvantages of Wide Area Network

Internet was never possible without the inventionand firewalls to secure the network.
of intelligent switches, satellites, fibre optic cablesOn WAN, the users at different locations are
and LAN cards. Those who find it difficult to getconnected to a central server. The name of this
idea of wide area network, internet is one livecomputer is server because it is there to serve all
example of it. Before we look into Wide Areathe computers on the network. All the computers
Network (WAN), we must have an understandingon the network are connected to central
of what is Local Area Network (LAN).database on the server. These computers save
Local Area Network, as the name suggests, is adata at real time, send queries to server and
network built in a limited area by using LANfetch reports at the same time. The banking
cables, switches and LAN cards. One example is asystem is a very good example of a WAN
network of a university or a business office atnetwork.
one location. The computers on a Local AreaThe benefits of a Wide area network are
Network are connected to a network switch. Youunlimited. You sit in one country, and the office in
can either make this network a workgroup (sharethe other country is just like a room next door.
limited resources) or domain (share all kind ofYou can share documents, reports, prints, query
resources and services). On domain, you have thedatabases, search through thousands of records
privilege to grant permissions to users to sharein just quick seconds, monitor distant location
resources or limit them to use certain services.offices by using digital cameras and do much
As LAN can only work within a certain distance,more. The advantages of a Wide area network
we need WAN to connect institutions and officesare infinite; it is up to you what benefits you want
at different locations.to get using this technology; the sophistication
WAN connects two or more LANs, and this isobviously increases with the cost factor.
possible with the use of devices like routers.With many advantages of Wide area network,
There are many ways to build a Wide areathere are also some disadvantages associated,
network. You can either lay down your ownwhich though can be addressed by using latest
cables between two or more locations or you cantechnologies. On WAN, the security is a big factor.
use leased lines. Most companies use leased linesWhen you connect on the internet using Live IPs,
as very limited companies can bear the cost ofanyone can intrude in and hack your system. For
thousands pounds for it.this purpose, firewalls and routers securities are
The businesses and institutions get leased linesimplemented, which definitely come with on the
from different service providers and pay them onexpense of thousands pounds. The latency period
monthly basis. Today, many companies areon WAN is high, but it can also be addressed by
establishing Virtual Private Network (VAN) bytaking high speed internet connections. To
using leased lines. A VAN can be established byestablish a Wide Area Network, the businesses
buying Live IPs from the service provider, at twoand institutions need a lot of money, as
or more different locations. To secure thistechnologies that make your network secure as
network, the Network Administrator uses routerswell as serve your needs are very costly.