Definition:
A WAN is a Wide Area Network. A LAN is a Local Area Network. A CAN is a Campus Area Network. A BAN is a Building Area Network. A MAN is a Metropolitan Area Network. Each Area Network often but not always serves a geographic location or space. The term WAN often but not always refers to any geographic Area Network outside a building or campus. Another definition is that a WAN is provided by a telephone company or communications carrier.