WAN - what is it? Setting features. What is the difference between WAN and LAN?

Today, many users are looking for the following information on the Internet: LAN – what is it and why is it needed? Of course, in worldwide network you can find a very simple and short definition. It sounds like this: LAN is a local area network. That's it.

But this decryption gives absolutely nothing, especially if a novice user has to deal with this. For some reason, many authors of articles on the Internet believe that if they throw in a lot of incomprehensible phrases, then people will immediately read the entire article and consider the site on which it is posted to be very authoritative and important.

In fact, this approach to the matter only complicates the whole situation. Therefore, we will try to explain what LAN is, in simple language, so that even a child can understand it.

If you still don’t understand something, write about it in the comments, we will be happy to answer all your questions. So let's start with a simple theory.

Theoretical page

So, LAN stands for Local Area Network. This actually translates to. To put it simply, a LAN is several interconnected computers and other devices that can connect to the network. And they are connected to each other either with the help of cables or with the help of. In Figure 1 you can see a fairly clear example of a local network.

Rice. 1. LAN example

As you can see, the main element of the network here is a router that is connected to the Internet (WAN). Remember this abbreviation, we will talk about it later.

For now, let’s look at the diagram shown above. On it, numbers indicate network segments, specifically:

3. DVD player connected to the router using a cable. For this purpose, the router has special LAN connectors, which are usually marked in yellow. In most cases there are 4 such connectors.

As we said above, a LAN connector is used to connect to the router via cable. We can see this in Figure 3.

Rice. 3. Router - rear view

As you can see, everything is standard in this model - 4 LAN connectors, but there is one more and it is already different in blue. Actually, this is the WAN (remember, we said that this concept needs to be remembered?). To more accurately understand what a LAN is, you can compare it with this very WAN.

By the way: Both LAN and WAN are connected via the most common cable with an RJ45 tip, shown in Figure 4. Above we said that, for example, segment No. 3 in Figure 1, that is, a DVD player, is connected to the router with using a cable. This cable is a regular twisted pair cable with RJ45 lugs on both sides. It's that simple!

Rice. 4. RJ45 tip

Comparing LAN and WAN

Let's start with what a WAN actually is. Again, to put it simply, this is the Internet. That is, it is the same network, but not local, like LAN, but global. It includes all devices and millions of local networks. WAN stands for Wide Area Network. Through this very network, each user can access the resources of another computer or other device that can be connected to the network.

By the way: This information is stored on servers. To put it simply, this is a huge number of high-capacity disks collected into one large device that can provide this information.

Rice. 5. Example of a working server

Differences between LAN and WAN:

1. Dimensions. Usually local network covers small areas, for example, an apartment or some kind of industrial premises. But global network spreads over the entire surface globe.
2. Number of users. Of course, to global network can connect much more people than to the local one. There, the equipment used is much more powerful, and in general, a lot of people usually connect. This is what we are counting on.
3. Type of services. Local networks have own services, such as a file access service, a printer service, and so on, in general, everything that is needed for a small network. But in the global network, for example, a routing service is used (determining the route of information to network nodes) and much more, which is necessary for working in large networks.

As for the distance or area that these two types of networks can cover, we have already said above that the global network extends over the entire surface of the globe. Accordingly, it can also work on distant spaceships if they are connected to any device within this network.

So, it’s interesting that local networks can also reach quite large sizes. The largest such network to date had devices that were located at a distance of 14,000 km from each other. These were space stations and orbital centers. Although usually a local network covers the same offices, houses, firms or a small group of buildings.

Hello, dear readers! This article is the first in the “Smart Home” section. The purpose of the new section is to in simple words describe the basics of interaction with modern devices in our house.

For example, take modern televisions. Nowadays, it is already quite difficult to find a TV without Smart TV technology, and even more difficult, it is almost impossible to find a TV without a LAN connector or a wi-fi module.

This is where the question arises: why are all these bells and whistles needed? Since you have to spend money on them, maybe it’s worth at the same time learning the benefits of these innovations? The answer is simple: “Of course it’s worth it!”

Obviously, the LAN connector is used so that you can connect the TV to your home network via network cable. This is done so that you can use network technologies, no matter with or without internet access.

So, let's briefly talk about the network technologies used in TVs. There are two of them. These are Smart TV and DLNA.

Smart TV technology

This technology allows you to connect your TV to the Internet, for example via a LAN connector, which we talk about in the article. Once connected, the TV can play streaming video from the Internet, and there are also a number of additional features, such as installing applications that will expand the functionality of the TV.

Here's a simple example. Connect your TV to the Internet, install an application to watch movies and TV series. As an option - Amediateka (this is an online cinema). After this you have access to a huge number various films and TV series in very decent quality. You can forget about cinemas :)

DLNA technology

If the TV is older and does not support Smart technology TV, it still most likely has a LAN connector. I'll explain why it is needed.

In addition to Internet access, you can also configure access to your home network. Let's say you have a media server at home. I mean a computer on which a lot of multimedia information (movies, music) is stored. By properly setting up your home network, we can make sure that the TV can access the folders with the content of this media server.

This procedure will help us watch movies and music downloaded from the Internet through an intermediary (media server) on TV.

Obviously, to connect the TV to the network we need a LAN connector. That is, even if the TV cannot be connected to the Internet, the presence of a network connector is still justified.

Conclusion

In the following articles we will talk in more detail about Smart TV technology, DLNA, and setup home network and media server. Subscribe to site updates so as not to miss new interesting articles.

I also have a small request for you. Please write in the comments if you would be interested in reading articles about the basics of organizing the system smart home in your home. Perhaps the audience of this site is not so interested in technologies that are at the forefront of progress. Or interesting? ;)

Thank you for your attention and see you again!

If you want to know what a WAN is, or how a WAN differs from a LAN, then you have come to the right place. Now let’s try to figure out what these technologies, connectors, connections are, what they are needed for and what the difference is.

Hi all! Perhaps the question in the title of the article seemed a little strange to you, but still there is a semantic load in it. Surprisingly, similar questions bothered some of my readers and came across me several times on various forums. Progress and competition in information technology several years ago laid the foundation for the production of smart TVs. Many modern models(depending on the line) have a LAN connector on board, but some consumers, after purchasing a TV, do not get what they expected from this network connector. So why does a TV have a LAN connector?

Depending on the answers to these questions, we will determine the cause of the problem.

The computer does not see the connected LAN cable

In this case, when connecting the network cable, no messages or activity appears from the latter. The network connections icon is crossed out in red, and if you hover over it, the message “No connection” will appear. Everything looks exactly the same as if the cable was not connected at all.

Average cost of a typical USB connector

350,00 rub.

Average cost of a typical LAN connector

350,00 rub.

In the window Setting up an interface for an Ethernet connection in the field Use connector specify one of the LAN ports (in our example, LAN1) that will work as a WAN port.

USB– (from the English Universal Serial Bus – “U-S-B”) - Universal serial bus- This serial interface data transfer for medium- and low-speed peripheral devices in computing.

USB tree block diagram symbols are geometric shapes(large circle, small circle, triangle and square) located at its ends.

USB cable is four-wire (4 copper conductors). The cable uses two conductors " twisted pair"for receiving and transmitting data, and two power conductors. Thanks to this, peripherals, can be connected without its own power source.

USB is characterized by 3 operating modes:

To check the health of the network card, you need to go to the “Device Manager” of your computer. To do this, you should do the following:
Your name may be different. If there is an exclamation mark next to it, it means it is not working correctly. Try reinstalling the driver. You just need to download from the manufacturer’s website and run the installation manually, and not through the task manager. It may also be that the LAN connector on the router does not work.

Important: if your laptop’s LAN port does not work, do not draw hasty conclusions. Possible options– a lot: from incorrectly configured software and router to kinked cables or damaged network cards.

Connection without internet access (yellow triangle with exclamation point)

The problem looks like this:

Connection status "No Internet access" As if it speaks for itself, the Internet does not work. But there is a connection to the router. Typically, this error may appear due to the router. When there is no Internet connection. There is a detailed article on this issue.

And during its installation, each of us dealt with LAN and WAN connectors. They are intended for different purposes, but are used together, which often leads to confusion. Let's figure out what they are and what the difference is between them.

The Internet cable is connected through the WAN socket, and local devices are connected through the LAN.

What is LAN

This type of connection will allow you to combine into a local environment a certain number of computers located on a short distance from each other.

When purchasing a router, you may notice on the back of it there are four identical sockets of the same type. All of them are created with the purpose of connecting several PCs to one access point.

A LAN port is needed if you want to create a group to connect all the equipment inside the house to the Internet. Thus, you can create a network that will cover an area of ​​​​a couple of kilometers, for which you buy a cable with a high throughput.

What is WAN

Using this type of connection, an external network is created, which is large number groups, users, regardless of their location. The main difference is that the previous format is intended for internal connection of several PCs, while this type of connection is external.

There are many global networks, but the most famous and frequently used is World Wide Web. This is what most clients prefer different distances, since it is not limited territorially, it is created through telephone wires and more modern technologies.

Greetings, dear readers of the blog site! Today we will talk about various types networks such as local area networks (LANs), examples of which can be found in organizations, educational campuses, or even homes, wide area networks (WANs), as the most a shining example Here we can cite the Internet, network complexes or interconnected networks, i.e. combining, for example, several local networks into a larger regional network. You will also learn what an intranet is and become familiar with network views.

Local Networks (LAN)

Network infrastructures can vary quite significantly in terms of:

• Network coverage size
• Number of connected users
• Number and type of services available

Typically extends over a single geographic area, providing services and applications to people within a common organizational structure, such as a single enterprise, campus, or region. This type of network is called . A LAN network is usually administered by a single organization. Administrative controls that manage security and access control policies are implemented at the network level.

Regional (Global) Networks

When a company or organization has multiple locations that are separated by large geographic distances, it may need to use a telecommunications service provider (TSP) to connect to each other. LAN networks located in various locations. Telecommunications service providers operate large regional networks that can extend over long distances. Traditionally, TSPs carried voice and data to separate networks. Now, increasingly, these providers offer services to their clients.

Individual organizations typically use leased connections to a telecommunications service provider's network. These networks, which connect LANs in geographically separated locations, are called Wide Area Networks (WANs). Although the organization maintains all LAN policies and administration on both sides of the connection, the policies within the communications service provider's network are controlled TSP.

WAN networks use specially designed networks that connect local LAN networks to each other. Because of the importance of these devices to the network, configuration, installation, and maintenance of these devices are integral skills for an enterprise network.

LAN and WAN networks are very useful for individual organizations. They connect users within an organization. They provide services including email exchanges, corporate training, and other resource exchanges.

Internet – Network of Networks

While there are benefits to using a LAN or WAN, most of us need to interact with resources on another network outside of our local organization.

Examples of this type of communication include:

• Sending emails friend from another country
• Access news and products on the website
• Receiving a file from a neighbor's computer
• Exchange with a relative from another city
• Monitoring the achievements of your favorite sports team on your cell phone

Network Complexes (Network Associations)

A global web of interconnected networks (network complexes) serves. Some of these interconnected networks are owned and intended exclusively for use by large public and private organizations, such as government agencies or industries. The largest well-known and widely used public interconnected network is the Internet.

The Internet consists of interconnected networks that belong to Internet Service Providers (ISPs). These ISP networks connect to each other, providing access to millions of users around the world. Assurance across this diverse infrastructure requires the use of consistent and recognized systems, as well as the cooperation of multiple network administration agencies.

Intranet

Term intranet often used to refer to a private connection of LAN and WAN networks belonging to one organization that are designed to be accessible only by that organization's members, workers, and other authorized users.

Note: The following terms can be used interchangeably: internetwork, data network, and simply network. The connection of two or more data networks forms an interconnected network - a network of networks. It is also common to refer to an internetwork as a data network - or simply a network - when considering communications across top level. This use of terms depends on context and the terms may be used interchangeably.

Network Views

When transporting complex information, such as when providing network connection and the operation of a large interconnected network, it is useful to use visual representations and graphics. Like any other language, the language of networks uses a well-known set of symbols (notations) to represent various , and . Ability to recognize logical representations of physical network components is decisive for the ability to represent the organization and operation of a network.

In addition to representing networks with special notations, special terminology is used when discussing how each of these devices and connections connects to each other. It is important to remember the following terms:

Map Network Interface (English Network Interface Card or NIC) or LAN adapter, provides physical connection to the network of a computer or other device host. , connect directly to network cards(NIC).

If you look at regular router, then on the rear panel we will see several ports with a LAN signature and one with a WAN signature. Externally, all these ports are identical, but for the functioning of the router, confusion between them is unacceptable.

Definition

WAN- Wide Area Network - global computer network, covering and uniting many computer systems all over the world.

LAN— Local Area Network is a local computer network that unites a limited number of computers in a relatively small area.

Comparison

The difference between WAN and LAN lies in the purpose of the networks. WAN is an external network connecting groups of local networks and individual computers regardless of their location. Network participants can interact with each other, taking into account the limitations of connection technologies (mainly data transfer speeds). The global Internet is the most famous, but not the only WAN network today. LAN is a local network, internal, connecting individual computers, network segments and groups of networks located in close proximity to each other. Interaction with each other is provided by both wired and wireless technologies.

Thus, on routers, the WAN port is intended for connecting a cable with an Internet connection, and the LAN ports are for connecting your local devices.

LAN networks can cover up to several kilometers of territory, and communication between network sections is provided by high-quality, high-bandwidth cables (most often twisted pairs). WAN networks do not limit the territory, but when organizing them they also use telephone lines, not differing in quality and data transfer speed. In addition, WANs can be based on more modern networks communications. When organizing a LAN, a direct topology is used; when organizing a WAN, a mixed hierarchical topology is used.

At the data link level of the OSI model, LAN and WAN networks use different data transfer protocols: for LAN these are Ethernet and 802.11 (as a rule), for WAN - PPP, HDLC, Frame Relay. In LAN networks, the communication channel is used by one client; in WAN networks, the communication channel is shared between network clients.

Difference between WAN and LAN

1. WAN is an external, global network, LAN is an internal, local network.
2. WAN is not limited to a territory; LAN cannot be very long.
3. In routers, the WAN port is intended for an Internet connection, and the LAN port is for local user devices.
4. The number of LAN clients is limited.
5. LAN bandwidth is usually higher; high-quality cables are used to organize it.
6. LAN uses Ethernet and 802.11 protocols, WAN uses PPP and others.
7. In a LAN, the communication channel is used by one client, in a WAN - by several.

And each of us had to deal with its installation LAN connectors and WAN. They are intended for different purposes, but are used together, which often leads to confusion. Let's figure out what they are and what the difference is between them.

The Internet cable is connected through the WAN socket, and local devices are connected through the LAN.

What is LAN

This type of connection will allow you to combine a certain number of computers located at a short distance from each other into a local environment.

When purchasing a router, you may notice on the back of it there are four identical sockets of the same type. All of them are created with the purpose of connecting several PCs to one access point.

A LAN port is needed if you want to create a group to connect all the equipment inside the house to the Internet. Thus, it is possible to create a network that will cover an area of ​​​​a couple of kilometers, for which they buy a cable with high bandwidth.

What is WAN

Using this type of connection, an external network is created, which represents a large number of groups and users, regardless of their location. The main difference is that the previous format is intended for internal connection of several PCs, and this type of connection is external.

There are many global networks, but the most famous and frequently used is the World Wide Web. This is what most clients prefer at different distances, since it is not limited geographically and is created using telephone wires and more modern technologies.

You probably saw a WAN type connector when purchasing and installing a router - a cable from the provider is connected to it. Collaboration of both ports is that one of them transmits a signal, which is then distributed to devices connected to the router.

Technical points

The main differences between these formats:

• The first type helps to create internal network,WAN is used to connect users globally.
• A local group has a limit on the number of clients and territory, a global group does not.
• The ports have different data transfer protocols - Ethernet and 802.11 for local and PPP, HDLC, Frame Relay for external.

Gone are the days when a computer was connected to the Internet using a cable. Today, wi-fi routers are firmly established in our homes, thanks to which we can access the Internet at home from any device without connecting a special wire. C reverse side wi-fi router you can notice several ports, one of them labeled WAN, and all the others labeled LAN. At first glance, it will seem to an inexperienced user that they are absolutely the same, but this is not so. So, let's take a closer look: WAN and LAN - what's the difference?

Understanding LAN and WAN ports

The abbreviation WAN stands for global network that connects millions of computers from all countries and continents.

The term LAN refers to a network that operates locally and unites some small number cars, and in a limited area.

What is the difference between Local Area and Wide Area ports

The main difference between these two ports is the purpose of the networks. Wide Area - a global network through which groups are united small networks, as well as computers, and their location does not affect the unification process in any way. Users whose machines are connected to WAN networks, are able to communicate with each other from different parts of the planet. The only limitation on the process of interaction between subscribers is the data transfer speed.

The world-famous Wide Area is the Internet, but it is far from the only external network in our world. LAN is an internal, local network, with the help of which you can combine parts of the network that are allocated computers, which are located relatively nearby. Work between them is ensured by wired and wireless technologies.

Let's turn again to the router. The main purpose of the WAN port is to connect the cable responsible for the Internet connection. LAN ports, in turn, are necessary for connecting and setting up a computer and other devices.

Local networks (LANs) cover only a few kilometers, and communication in areas is supported using high-quality cables that are characterized by high bandwidth (usually twisted pair).

Global Wide Area is not limited to covering any territory, but such organization uses telephone wires who cannot boast of either high quality, nor speed. But WAN connections can also be based on modern types communications. Another difference between these two networks is topology. LAN allows only a direct topology, while WAN is based on a mixed hierarchical topology.

Regarding link layer, then in local LAN one communication channel is used by only one client. Global ones differ in that one communication channel can be divided between several clients at once.