WAN Network
« Back to Glossary IndexIn today’s digital age, every Australian business—from 20 to 250 staff—relies on fast, secure, and reliable network communication. At the centre of these systems is the Wide Area Network (WAN), a type of telecommunication circuit that connects multiple locations, workplaces, and cloud systems across vast geographical distances. Unlike a local area network (LAN), which services a single site such as an office or home network, a WAN allows organisations to share data and resources between cities, states, or even countries.
WAN technology ensures that the Internet Protocol (IP) and the TCP/IP protocol suite can efficiently move data packets between networks, whether they are private networks, external networks, virtual private clouds, or cloud-based services. It enables powerful resource sharing, file sharing, printer sharing, and access to centralised applications hosted in data centers.
For Australian organisations moving toward Cloud Computing, Cloud Services, and hybrid Cloud strategies using AWS, Azure, or HPE GreenLake and GreenLake Intelligence, the WAN is now one of the most critical areas of modern network infrastructure.
What Is a WAN?
A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a network that spans large regions, linking multiple local networks or metropolitan area networks (MAN) using a combination of networking technologies. A business might use WAN links to connect offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide to a central operations site or Central Office.
WANs are designed to:
- Support network communication across long distances
- Enable shared access to cloud platforms and secure systems
- Connect teams, branches, and remote workers to internal company resources
WANs can be implemented using technologies such as:
- Leased line / Leased lines for private, secure communication
- Broadband Internet for cost-effective connectivity
- 4G/5G/LTE Wireless WAN using cellular networks in remote deployments
- Satellite WAN and satellite links for rural and mining operations in Australia
How Does a WAN Work?
WANs use layer 1 (physical), layer 2 (data link), and layer 3 (network) of the OSI model to transport information between dispersed sites. Data travels through infrastructure such as fibre optic cables, copper cabling, radio towers, and satellite connections.
Key WAN Connection Types
| Connection | Description |
|---|---|
| Leased Line / Private WAN | Dedicated line from a WAN provider or network provider, ensuring reliable and secure data flow |
| Internet-based WAN solutions | Uses public internet with Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and IP tunnels to secure traffic |
| SD-WAN technology | Intelligent, software-driven routing using software-defined networking |
| Satellite WAN | Connects extremely remote locations via satellite beams |
| Ethernet WAN / Wide Area Ethernet | Expands Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet over wide areas |
WAN Technologies
- Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) – enhances Quality of Service (QoS) and prioritises essential traffic
- Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) – uses Cell switching for high reliability
- Frame Relay – legacy Packet switching service still found in some networks
- Packet over SONET – ensures long-distance optical networking stability
- Circuit switching – reserved telecommunication circuits for guaranteed capacity
Key Features & Characteristics of WANs
Geographic Reach
A WAN may connect multiple sites across a large region or multiple continents.
Public vs Private WAN
| WAN Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Public WAN | Uses the public internet and requires network address translation and encryption to secure traffic |
| Private WAN | Uses leased lines, MPLS, or carrier Ethernet for dedicated enterprise security |
WAN Performance Factors
WAN performance is influenced by:
- Application speeds
- Bandwidth costs
- Distance and network path
- Data compression and WAN optimisation capability
- Network traffic and traffic congestion
- LAN traffic merging into WAN links
WAN Scalability & Network Management
WANs can scale to support:
- New branches and remote offices
- Additional cloud workloads
- Increased Cloud systems adoption
Centralised network management and WAN edge devices help manage routing, monitoring, and connection resilience.
WAN vs LAN vs MAN
| Feature | WAN | LAN | MAN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Large national/international areas | A single building/site | Region or metro area |
| Technology | MPLS, SD-WAN, VPN, Satellite | Ethernet, Wi-Fi | Metro Ethernet, Wide Area Ethernet |
| Speed | Lower than LAN | Fastest network type | Medium |
| Best Use | Multi-site operations, cloud connectivity | Offices, homes | Universities, city councils |
WAN vs LAN is one of the most important considerations for growing Australian companies. LANs are fast and local; WANs are distributed and enable large-scale collaboration.
History & Evolution of WANs
WAN architecture has evolved significantly over time:
| Era | Development |
|---|---|
| 1950s | Defence-driven long-distance communication systems |
| 1980–2000s | ATM, Frame Relay, and MPLS revolutionise enterprise WANs |
| Today | SD‑WAN technology, hybrid cloud, Zero Trust security |
Modern WANs leverage overlay networks, cloud-based WAN services, and integrations such as AWS Cloud WAN.
Types of WAN Connections
- Leased Line WANs – stable, secure private circuits
- MPLS and Packet switching WANs – predictable performance and QoS
- Internet-based WAN with VPN/IP tunnels – budget‑friendly and encrypted
- SD‑WAN – best for application‑aware routing and cloud optimisation
- 4G/5G/LTE Wireless WAN – ideal for mobile or temporary deployments
- Satellite WAN – perfect for remote Australia, mining, and maritime operations
Use Cases for Australian Businesses
| Industry | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Professional Services | Remote access to CRMs, file-sharing, cloud apps |
| Healthcare | Secure sharing of medical records between sites |
| Mining & Energy | Satellite WAN for remote operations |
| Manufacturing & Warehousing | IoT, automation, tracking systems |
| Retail & Franchises | Centralised point-of-sale and inventory systems |
Benefits & Challenges
Benefits
- National and global connectivity
- Enhanced collaboration & resource sharing
- Supports hybrid and remote workforce
- Improved disaster recovery and fault tolerance
Challenges
- Higher implementation & bandwidth costs
- Increased security requirements
- Latency, outages, and connection quality variation
How Businesses Deploy a WAN
1️⃣ Requirement analysis (traffic, cloud apps, security, Office locations)
2️⃣ WAN design (topology, carrier, network policies, bandwidth management)
3️⃣ Hardware and software selection:
- WAN router, firewalls, multi-layer switches
4️⃣ Implementation, routing, encryption, QoS configuration
5️⃣ Ongoing optimization with SD-WAN and performance monitoring
WAN Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Internet a WAN?
Yes, the internet is the largest Wide Area Network on Earth.
Do small businesses need a WAN?
If they have multiple offices, remote workers, or centralised systems—yes.
MPLS or SD-WAN?
Many organisations are moving to SD‑WAN for improved cloud performance and lower cost, while MPLS is still used for guaranteed QoS.
What is Ethernet WAN?
A carrier‑managed extension of Ethernet across geographic areas.
Conclusion
A well‑architected WAN helps Australian organisations scale securely, boost productivity, and empower remote teams. With advancements like SD‑WAN, HPE GreenLake, satellite networking, and cloud-native overlays, the modern WAN is more flexible and cost‑efficient than ever.
If your business is expanding, adopting cloud systems, or struggling with network performance, Enabla Technology can design, implement, and manage the right WAN strategy for your needs.
Ready to Upgrade Your WAN?
📞 Contact Enabla Technology for WAN consulting, design, deployment, and Managed IT Services.
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