What does a WAN primarily do?

A Wide Area Network (WAN) is designed to facilitate communication and data exchange over large geographic distances. This capability allows organizations to connect multiple locations, such as offices in different cities or countries, making real-time collaboration and data sharing possible. WANs utilize various transmission technologies, including leased lines, satellites, and radio waves, to provide these extensive connections, thus enabling businesses to operate seamlessly across various sites.

The focus of a WAN on long-distance communication differentiates it from other types of networks, like Local Area Networks (LANs), which connect devices only within a limited area, typically a single building or campus. Additionally, while backup and security are critical aspects of data management and protection, they are not the primary functions of a WAN. Instead, those responsibilities often fall to other technologies and systems designed specifically for data storage and cybersecurity.