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Introduction To WAN Technologies: What Is A WAN?

This document provides an introduction to wide area network (WAN) technologies, including circuit switching, packet switching, virtual circuits, dialup services, and common WAN devices. It defines a WAN as a data communications network spanning a broad geographic area that often uses facilities provided by carriers. The document states that WAN technologies operate at the physical, data link, and network layers of the OSI model.

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34 views2 pages

Introduction To WAN Technologies: What Is A WAN?

This document provides an introduction to wide area network (WAN) technologies, including circuit switching, packet switching, virtual circuits, dialup services, and common WAN devices. It defines a WAN as a data communications network spanning a broad geographic area that often uses facilities provided by carriers. The document states that WAN technologies operate at the physical, data link, and network layers of the OSI model.

Uploaded by

elasu85
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Circuit Switching

Packet Switching
WAN Virtual Circuits
WAN Dialup Services
WAN Devices
WAN Switch
Access Server
Modem
CSU/DSU
ISDN Terminal Adapter

Introduction to WAN Technologies


This chapter introduces the various protocols and technologies used in wide-area
network (WAN) environments. Topics summarized here include point-to-point links,
circuit switching, packet switching, virtual circuits, dialup services, and WAN devices.
Chapters in Part 3, "WAN Technologies," of this book address specific technologies in
more detail.

What Is a WAN?
A WAN is a data communications network that covers a relatively broad geographic
area and often uses transmission facilities provided by common carriers, such as
telephone companies. WAN technologies function at the lower three layers of the OSI
reference model: the physical layer, the data link layer, and the network layer. Figure
3-1 illustrates the relationship between the common WAN technologies and the OSI
model.
Figure 3-1: WAN technologies operate at the lowest levels of the OSI model.

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