A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a network that covers a broad area (i.e., any telecommunications network that links across metropolitan, regional, or national boundaries) using private or public network transports. Business and government entities utilize WANs to relay data among employees, clients, buyers, and suppliers from various geographical locations. In essence, this mode of telecommunication allows a business to effectively carry out its daily function regardless of location. The Internet can be considered a WAN as well, and is used by businesses, governments, organizations, and individuals for almost any purpose imaginable.

It covers the following topics -

• WAN Basics DCE DTE CSU or DSU CPE Demarc DS0
• WAN Technologies Leased Lines Circuit and Packet Switching and Cell Relay
• HDLC High Level Data link Control
• PPP Point to Point Protocol
• Frame Relay
• ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode
• WAN Cabling Standards
• Clock Rates Synchronization DCE and DTE
• OSI Layer for Point to Point WANs