Why is the Internet considered a WAN?

The Internet is considered a Wide Area Network (WAN) because it spans large geographical areas, connecting networks globally.

The Internet, as we know it, is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link devices worldwide. It is a network of networks that consists of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, local to global scope, linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless, and optical networking technologies. This vast connection of networks spanning across continents and oceans makes the Internet a perfect example of a Wide Area Network (WAN).

A WAN is a network that covers a large geographical area, often a country or continent. It uses a variety of links provided by telecommunication companies to connect smaller networks together. The Internet fits this description as it connects millions of smaller local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), and wide area networks (WANs) together.

The primary purpose of a WAN is to allow different smaller networks and devices to communicate and exchange data with each other, regardless of their geographical location. The Internet achieves this on a global scale, allowing computers and networks all over the world to communicate seamlessly.

Moreover, WANs are not restricted to a specific geographical location, unlike LANs. While a LAN might be used in a single building or campus, a WAN can use wired or wireless connections to link devices across cities, countries, or even continents. The Internet, with its global reach, is the epitome of this concept, connecting devices and networks across vast distances.

In conclusion, the Internet is considered a WAN due to its ability to connect networks and devices across large geographical areas. Its global reach and the seamless communication it enables between devices and networks worldwide make it the largest and most influential WAN in existence.