In plain English
It refers to networking across distance, between places that are far apart rather than all in one local area. The network joins computers, or whole smaller networks, that are in different locations.
In context
Here, WAN labels the router side that faces the larger outside network connecting different places over a wide area.
- Situation
- Installing broadband, activating service, using routers, and reading connection status
- What it communicates
- labels the router side that faces the provider connection.
Meaning limits
The term alone does not identify any particular outside network or the exact way the distant places are linked.
Examples
“Each clinic keeps its own local network, and a WAN links them across the region.”
“The modem connects to the router's WAN before the traffic reaches the office network.”