define wan

How do you define WAN? A computer network that spans a relatively large geographical area. A WAN consists of two or more local-area networks (LANs). Computers connected to a wide-area network often connected through public networks, such as the telephone system. They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites.

Wide Area Network: Examples of WAN. Local area networks are connected to one another through a device called router. There may be used many router to connect large amount of LANs. The big example of wide area network is internet. On internet we transfer files from one computer to other.

The WAN port in a WiFi router is essentially connecting you to the real "internet". The cable coming out of modem, or if a PPPoE connection, a simple RJ45 ethernet cable are to be plugged in the WAN port. The WAN cable transmits the data from Internet to "Subnet" created by your router.