What is Wide Area Network (WAN)?
The definition of a Wide Area Network (WAN) is a network that exists over a large-scale geographical area. A WAN connects different smaller networks, including Local Area Networks (LANs) and Metro Area Networks (MANs). This allows computers and users in one location to communicate with computers and users in other locations.
As a business begins to grow, one of the biggest challenges they face is connectivity. Reliable and secure data sharing between various locations of your business is key to running a successful company. It is essential to prioritise the development and maintenance of a strong network structure that will help your teams to remain connected at all times. A WAN can consist of your company’s headquarters, branch offices, employees who work remotely, cloud services, and other facilities.
Benefits of WAN for your business
A Wide Area Network is more Secure
A lot of WANs are connected via VPN (Virtual Private Network). VPNs allow you to send data over the internet in an encrypted tunnel. This means that all the data you send on your network is completely private and secure. Only the people and locations that are permitted to connect to your private network can access it.
Service Levels
When implemented correctly, WAN provides you with failover options that will keep your business connected in the event that the primary connection fails. Monitoring and reporting will ensure that your service provider and yourself will be notified when a connection fails. This enables service providers to proactively resolve the problematic connection, preventing catastrophic downtime.
Centralises IT Infrastructure
A WAN removes the need to buy email and file servers for each and every office. Instead, you only have to set up everything once and allow each office access to these systems. Setting up a WAN also simplifies server management, as you won’t have to support, back-up, host, or protect several systems.
WAN Carries Both Voice and Data Communication
One of the perks of having a WAN is not needing to rent expensive copper circuits for phone calls. Instead, your WAN can carry your phone calls (over VoIP) for you. You can also benefit from much cheaper call rates without sacrificing quality.
Cuts Costs, Increases Profits
Having a WAN can reduce your costs significantly. One of the ways this can happen is by not having to gather teams from different locations to meet in one location (video conferencing). So, your travel costs are reduced. Also, as mentioned previously, your infrastructure is centralised – reducing your system (hardware and software) costs.
Data Sharing and Syncing
Data sharing and syncing over a WAN is crucial to the productivity and effectiveness to your employees. Documents need to be updated simultaneously across a network so that all employees have access to it in real time. You can share documents and reports, query databases, and search through thousands of records in just mere seconds.
Faster File Accessibility
Thanks to caching, someone that uses the same files repeatedly will be able to access them much quicker due to only new data being saved and retrieved, as opposed to having to reload the full document every time.
More Reliable and Faster Data Recovery
A WAN makes remote backup of data easier, which is great for any disaster recovery. The increased network response time capabilities allow users to quickly regain access to critical applications after a crash.
What Huge Connect can do for you
Huge Connect can provide you with a managed Wide Area Network solution consisting of multiple access mediums all interconnected into a single platform. Our Managed Data Networks provide secure, reliable and managed data communication solutions, using our world-class network. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, and we specialise in having solutions to meet your unique requirements. We’ll happily sit with you to design a suitable communication solution.
With more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, our engineers will design, setup and manage the most efficient, secure and cost-effective WAN solution for your business. By using a wide range of modern technologies, including Internet leased lines, point to point links and virtual private networks (VPN), we will ensure your site has secure connectivity at all times. Connect with us to find out how we can help you.
