Multi WAN connections
A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a geographically distributed data communications network, which normally employs routers and other communication carrier devices. The Internet is by far the largest and most popular WAN. Unlike other networks such as Local Area Network, Personal Area Networks (PANs), Campus Area Networks (CANs), which are confined to a smaller geographic area, WANs connect all these networks together and make it available for users around the globe. Telephone lines, microwave links and satellite channels are the most common communication links used by WANs. One or the other of these links is used depending on the purpose, and all three may also be used for multi WAN connections.
Wide Area Networks work on the physical layer, data link layer, and network layer, which are the lower three layers of the OSI reference model. WAN connectivity is made through options such as Leased Line, Circuit Switching, Packet Switching, and Cell Relay. It may be noted that all these available options differ in speed, connection modes, and other features specific to protocol. Multi WAN connections utilize a combination of these options.
Although WAN connections by itself cover much ground, multi WAN enhances connectivity and communications. Globally, there is a steep increase in network traffic and hence the congestion is possible in the flow of inbound and outbound Internet traffic. Multi WAN connections, as a congregated element, ensure reliability, secure application, and optimization. Enterprises for which redundant WAN is a requisite, use multiple WAN links so that continuous uptime is possible even when any of the links fail. Businesses dependent on the Internet to meet their business continuity standards definitely need WANs that are of a high availability nature. That is possible when multiple WAN links are employed.
Multi WAN connections are critical for all applications from an efficiency and business continuity point of view. With the ever increasing need for information sharing across the entire network, connections need to be fine-tuned at every stage. Multi WAN connections, with the right access products, help in controlling factors that result in outages. They also improve WAN performance. MultiWAN is an aggregated element that provides redundancy in connectivity to the Internet. This averts the disadvantage of downtime as in the case of a single WAN connection. WAN traffic travels through the Internet, public telephone network or a private network. Multiple WAN links enables to load balance between connections and increase bandwidth usage.
The characteristics of multiple WAN determine the speed and efficiency of the network. While Analog and ISDN links are economical they are slow and cumbersome. T1, T3, Broadband DSL and cable modem links are fast and depending on the service, reliable. Oftentimes, large enterprises and businesses, which have wide area communication networks, opt for the faster DSL connection or multi WAN connections. Small businesses normally employ the dial-up access but with the cost of bandwidth decreasing steadily, dial up is destined to fade away except in a few circumstances. The benefits of multiple WAN is highly significant from a business continuity perspective.
‘Connectivity’ is the keystone in the modern communications era and it is crucial that appropriate devices ensure superior connection. Multi WAN connections offer an excellent solution to getting connected and maintaining the connectivity without disruption of links. Multi WAN connections are utilized by corporate companies and even homes that seek uninterrupted access to the internet. Speed is a key factor and multiple WAN is capable of delivering the same. It is possible due to the multiple WAN links that are connected as a whole and zero disruption in network service as multiWAN can intelligently sense and fail-over to an active link should any of the links fail.
In the early stages on the development of WANs, it was just a single dial-up access, which set the stage for technological innovation. Over the past few decades, innovation has seen an influx of technological devices and communication plays a primary role. Multi WAN connections have helped to escalate speed and reliability of WANs. Even service providers are using multi WAN links to ensure the robustness of WANs. With the increasing demand for enhanced technology came more solutions. A leading technology solutions provider, FatPipe Networks, gave the marketplace an innovative comprehensive suite of WAN optimization solutions.
FatPipe Networks developed unique technology solutions, which enhance speed and the performance of multi WAN connections. FatPipe’s patented technology is highly flexible and enables business to deploy multiple WAN connections while effectively load balancing both outbound and inbound traffic across connections. This technology is independent of the service provider and the type of dataline. Through dynamically load balancing multiple lines from any combination of ISPs, it yields an unparalleled level of WAN connectivity and business continuity.
Network outage can have serious consequences to business that need extreme uptime and WAN availability. This concern is being addressed by providers and users alike. Leading edge technology such as that offered by FatPipe, ensures un-interrupted service that overcomes many common WAN failures.
