There are many different ports on the back of modems required to connect to the Internet, one of which is the WAN port. Let’s take a closer look at the WAN that offers a direct internet connection or a different wide area network connection and see the WAN types.
With the widespread use of the Internet, we met with many new devices and concepts. For example, a modem that provides internet connection is now an indispensable part of the house. You’ll see many different ports on the back of each modem; Such as LAN, WAN, USB. The WAN port is one of the most notable among them. because through this port, many modems connect directly to the internet.
In other words, WAN actually means internet connection, but sometimes private WAN networks can be established by some companies in cases where the local network is not enough. However, for the end user, this port means connecting to the internet. What is WAN, what does WAN port do Let’s examine questions like this in a little more detail and see both the WAN types and get to know the LAN network for comparison.
What is WAN?
Wide Area Network, shortly WAN, in Turkish Wide Area Network; connecting many different devices to each other, It is an extensive network that enables communication. Local networks, called LANs, communicate with each other in this wide area network. The Internet is the largest known WAN network.
Local Area Network, LAN for short, Local Area Network in Turkish; It is the name given to the networks established in every home or workplace. As a result of the collection of these local networks in the WAN network, the internet, becomes the internet. It is known that some large companies and even countries have established their own wide area networks, but for the end user, WAN means the internet.
What is WAN port (Wan port), what does it do?
Before we get to the WAN port, let’s take a look at how we connect to the internet. Certain ports are set up by your internet service provider to connect to the public network. From these main points, this connection is brought to each house with special cables. Through the modem, this connection becomes the Internet and wired or wireless users connect to the internet.
Modems have many different ports on the back; WAN, LAN, and USB ports are common to most. Devices connected to the same local network via LAN ports communicates. Internet connection or other wide area network connection is provided via WAN port. The USB port can be used for many different purposes.
Even if it increases or decreases, in general most modems have 1 WAN, 4 LAN ports on the back. There are even such ports on routers called routers. Connected via modem wide area network is generally single, Since there are more than one local area network connected to, the entries are arranged in this way.
What is the difference between WLAN and WAN?
Since the abbreviations of terms related to internet connection are quite similar to each other, they are often confused by users. One of them is WLAN. LAN means local area network, WAN means wide area network, and WLAN means Wireless Local Area Network, in Turkish, Wireless Local Area Network.
WLAN, short for Wireless LAN Multiple devices with Wi-Fi wireless network It refers to the network that connects to the internet over the same local network. So although the abbreviations are similar, there is not much similarity between WAN and WLAN, but in the end, both represent a network.
Types of WAN technologies used:
- Pack change
- TCP/IP protocol
- router
- overlay network
- SONET/SDH (PoS)
- Multiprotocol Label Switching
- ATM
- Frame Relay
Pack change
sent in packet switching technology, which we can translate into our language as packet switching. the message is divided into three parts, each proceeds to the goal by the most suitable path, and as they reach the goal, they are reunited. The purpose of using this data transmission method is to prevent damage to the entire packet. Parts are resent if necessary.
TCP/IP protocol
TCP/IP protocol is the most widely used protocol type in today’s world. TCP/IP transmission protocol or internet protocol Thanks to this system, which is called as a system, devices are connected to each other and to the internet.
router
As we explained in detail in our article here, the router, that is, the router, WAN is often used in the creation of a wide area network. Thanks to routers that offer unique IP addresses, the WAN network uses these addresses to communicate.
overlay network
Overlay network, which we can translate into our language as an overlay network, is a software on another infrastructure It is a technology that creates a virtual network. The purpose of using the overlay network technique is to support applications and security systems that are not available on the network.
SONET/SDH (PoS)
SONET/SDH (PoS) packet is one of the basic protocols used for WAN transport. Optical fiber, Synchronized Optical Network, Synchronized Digital Hierarchy including communication protocols such as SONET/SDH (PoS) defines how the connection between two points will be.
Multiprotocol Label Switching
Multiprotocol Label Switching, in short MPLS, Multiprotocol Label Switching in Turkish; It is an optimization technique used during network routing. Thanks to this technique, data moves over short network tags, not long network addresses.
ATM
ATM, Asynchronous Transfer Mode, Asynchronous Transfer Mode in Turkish; although not used much today. It is the most common switching technique used in early data networks. Today, ATM has been replaced by IP-based ethernet technology and has begun to package data in variable sizes.
Frame Relay
Frame Relay, local area networks or wide area networks for data transfer between endpoints It is a used technology. Frame Relay, using packet switching technology, specifies the data link layers of digital communication channels.
What we see behind every modem What is WAN port, what does it do; What is WAN, what are its types We answered the frequently asked questions such as, and talked about the important details you need to know about area networks.