Chapter 2. WAN Technologies and Components

Terms you'll need to understand:

• WAN

• Dedicated connection

• Circuit switching

• Packet switching

• Synchronous and asynchronous

• Central site

• Branch office

• Home office

Techniques you'll need to master:

• Selecting hardware

• Determining bandwidth requirements

• Selecting a WAN connection

• Selecting a backup connection

• Choosing and Configuring WAN encapsulations

Designing and deploying a wide-area network (WAN), regardless of its size, is an essential skill for the network professional. One of the steps of this task involves configuring remote access. The ability to work efficiently and effectively from a remote location whether it's a branch office, small office/home office (SOHO), or a mobile location is critical to virtually every industry and company. Knowing what technologies are available, how they can interact, and how to manage those technologies is a key component of any professional's skill set.