WAN - GCSE Computer Science Definition

A WAN, or Wide Area Network, is a type of computer network that covers a large geographical area, like a city, country, or even globally. It connects smaller networks, like local area networks (LANs) found in schools or homes, allowing them to communicate with each other. The internet is the biggest example of a WAN. WANs use special equipment and technologies, such as routers and fibre optic cables, to send data over long distances. The hardware used on WANs is typically not owned by the company. This means people can access files, use the internet, and communicate with others no matter where they are in the world.