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Wide Area Network (WAN)

WAN is a very large network that connects computers across a country, a
continent, or the world. A WAN usually consists of multiple smaller networks.
Usually, WANs use wireless technology. Internet, ATMs and international
business organisations use WAN for their operations. WAN is used in the
operations of the Internet, ATMs, and international business organisations.

COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER NETWORK
Transmission Media
Transmission media is the medium through which computers in a network are connected with each other.
It is also used to transfer data from one device to another. Transmission media can be wired or wireless.

Wired Transmission Media
Wired Transmission Media uses different types of cables or wires to connect devices in a network. Some
common wired transmission media are twisted pair cable, coaxial cable, and optical fibre cable.

Twisted-Pair Cable
A Twisted-Pair Cable consists of two insulated copper wires twisted
around each other. The twisted-pair cable usually contains two or more
pairs, all within a single cable. Twisted-pair cable is relatively inexpensive,
flexible, and easy to install. These cables provide low speed voice and data
connections.

Knowledge Discovery Subject Enrichment

Twisted-Pair cable are of two types – Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) and Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP).
UTP is the most commonly used type of networking cable.

Coaxial Cable Outer Conductor
A Coaxial Cable consists of two conductors. The inner conductor is held (Shield)
inside an insulator called cladding, with the other conductor woven Inner
around it, providing a shield. An insulating protective coating, called Conductor Jacket
a jacket, covers the outer conductor. The outer shield insulates the
inner conductor, blocking outside electrical signals. The coaxial cable
is strong, flexible, and capable of carrying high-frequency signals.
This cable is widely used for cable television signal transmission.
Cladding
Optical Fibre Cable
An Optical Fibre Cable consists of thin glass fibres that can carry information Cladding
at high speeds and have a wide range of frequencies. A typical optical fibre
consists of a very thin strand of glass called the core. The core is covered by a
concentric layer of glass called the cladding. Optical fibres work on the principle
that the core reflects and guides light signals along its path. This cable provides Glass fibre
the fastest speeds of data transmission and can carry a large number of signals (Core)
at the same time.

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