Chapter 16

Wide Area Networks

The Following CompTIA Network+ Exam Objectives Are Covered in This Chapter:

  • 3.4 Categorize WAN technology types and properties.
    • Types:
  • T1/E1
  • T3/E3
  • DS3
  • OCx
  • SONET
  • SDH
  • DWDM
  • Satellite
  • ISDN
  • Cable
  • DSL
  • Cellular
  • WiMAX
  • LTE
  • HSPA+
  • Fiber
  • Dialup
  • PON
  • Frame relay
  • ATMs
  • Properties:
  • Circuit switch
  • Packet switch
  • Speed
  • Transmission media
  • Distance

So what, exactly, is it that makes something a wide area network (WAN) instead of a local area network (LAN)? Well, there’s obviously the distance thing, but these days, wireless LANs can cover some serious turf. What about bandwidth? Here again, some really big pipes can be had for a price in many places, so that’s not it either. What the heck is it then?

One of the main ways a WAN differs ...

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