wide-area network
Cross-city digital infrastructure
A wide-area network is a telecommunications network spanning a large geographic area—connecting cities, countries, or continents.
The internet is the largest wide-area network.
Organizations use private wide-area networks to link distant offices.
Often abbreviated WAN, it contrasts with a local-area network (LAN), which covers a building or campus.
Packet-forwarding network device
- switchCircuit-breaking toggle device
- modemDigital-to-analog signal converter
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
- nodeConnection point in networks
fiber-optic · datacenter · server · topology · mesh · star · bus · ring
Data transmission capacity
- latencyDelay in system response
- throughputProcessing rate over time
- jitterSmall, rapid variation
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
bottleneck · uptime · reliability · redundancy · failover · optimization · compression · caching
Internet's core protocol suite
- EthernetWired network standard
- ATMAutomated banking kiosk
- multiplexingCombining signals on one line
- encapsulationSurrounding on all sides
Encrypted network connection
- firewallNetwork access control system
- encryptionConverting data into code
- cybersecurityProtection of digital systems
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
DMZ · tunnel · certificate · monitoring
Central command location
- datacenterFacility housing networked computers
- telecommutingEmployment from afar
- intranetOrganization's internal web system
- extranetExternal-facing private network
scalability · centralization · deployment · integration · ERP · CRM
Covering great distances
- transcontinentalSpanning an entire continent
- transoceanicCrossing a major sea
- regionalRelating to an area
- metropolitanOf a major city
intercity · cross-border · global · distributed · satellite · terrestrial · undersea · international
router
Packet-forwarding network device
- switchCircuit-breaking toggle device
- modemDigital-to-analog signal converter
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
node · fiber-optic · datacenter · server · topology · mesh · star · bus · ring · hub
bandwidth
Data transmission capacity
- latencyDelay in system response
- throughputProcessing rate over time
- jitterSmall, rapid variation
congestion · bottleneck · uptime · reliability · redundancy · failover · optimization · compression · caching · benchmarking
TCP/IP
Internet's core protocol suite
- EthernetWired network standard
- ATMAutomated banking kiosk
- multiplexingCombining signals on one line
encapsulation · handshake · subnet · DNS · DHCP
VPN
Encrypted network connection
- firewallNetwork access control system
- encryptionConverting data into code
- cybersecurityProtection of digital systems
authentication · DMZ · tunnel · certificate · monitoring
headquarters
Central command location
- datacenterFacility housing networked computers
- telecommutingEmployment from afar
- intranetOrganization's internal web system
extranet · scalability · centralization · deployment · integration · ERP · CRM
long-haul
Covering great distances
- transcontinentalSpanning an entire continent
- transoceanicCrossing a major sea
- regionalRelating to an area
metropolitan · intercity · cross-border · global · distributed · satellite · terrestrial · undersea · international · nationwide
wide-area networklocal area network
Nearby devices connected together
LAN · PAN · local network · home network · intranet
wide, area, network, widen, wider, widest, widely, width, wideness