Wide-Area Networks and Technologies

Wide-area network ( WAN) technologies are characterized as networks covering a broad geographical area. These technologies use common carrier facilities. On a seven-layer model, they operate on the physical, data link layer. WANs are divided into three types of links:

  • Point-to-point(leased line)— There are several common protocols used in these links—the most common are Point-to Point Protocol (PPP), Synchronous Data Link Control (SDLC), and High-Level Data Link Control (HDLC). Because point-to-point links and their protocols are the most widely used, we discuss them in more detail in the sections that follow.

  • Packet-switching— The packet-switching protocol finds the most efficient paths for routing packets, ...

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