How does a wide area network differ from a local area network?

The primary difference between a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN) is the geographic scope they cover and the infrastructure used to connect devices.1

• Local Area Network (LAN): A LAN connects computers and peripheral devices within a limited physical area, such as a single office, laboratory, or building. These networks typically use high-speed links like Ethernet cables, fiber optics, or Wi-Fi to allow users to share resources like printers and file servers.12
• Wide Area Network (WAN): A WAN spans much larger distances, including cities, countries, and even continents. While they may also utilize fiber optics or cables, they often rely on telephone lines, satellites, and modems to facilitate communication over these vast areas. The Internet is the largest and most prominent example of a WAN, functioning as a global network of interconnected networks.31

In practice, LANs are often linked to one another or to larger WANs to enable broader connectivity.1