Which statement describes a wide-area network (WAN)?

Which statement describes a wide-area network (WAN)?

• A. A WAN covers a small geographic area.
• B. A WAN uses only private networks.
• C. A WAN is faster than a LAN.
• D. A WAN spans large geographic areas, often using public networks.

Answer: (D)

Wide-area networks connect devices and networks across large geographic distances, linking multiple LANs and other networks through long-distance communication links. This makes the description that a WAN spans large geographic areas, often using public networks, the most accurate. The other statements don’t fit: a WAN doesn’t just cover a small area—that would be a local area network; it doesn’t use only private networks—while it can involve private connections, it also commonly traverses public networks like the Internet; and a WAN isn’t inherently faster than a LAN—LANs usually offer higher bandwidth and lower latency within a localized area, though technology and setup can vary.

Wide-area networks connect devices and networks across large geographic distances, linking multiple LANs and other networks through long-distance communication links. This makes the description that a WAN spans large geographic areas, often using public networks, the most accurate. The other statements don’t fit: a WAN doesn’t just cover a small area—that would be a local area network; it doesn’t use only private networks—while it can involve private connections, it also commonly traverses public networks like the Internet; and a WAN isn’t inherently faster than a LAN—LANs usually offer higher bandwidth and lower latency within a localized area, though technology and setup can vary.