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WAN Switching

Discuss the types of switching expected to be found on a WAN. How do the different types of switching in a WAN influence the security of transmission? Comment on variations and the availability of the tools to help with the implementation of security measures.

According to the Internet search definition archive Webopedia, a WAN or wide area access network is a type of computer network that spans a relatively large geographical area. Typically, a WAN consists of two or more computer networks or LANs, local area access networks www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/local_area_network_LAN.html." Computers connected to a wide-area network are often connected through interconnected public networks, such as the telephone system, or through dial-up connections. These WANs can also be connected through leased lines or satellites. The largest WAN in existence is the Internet, but smaller WANs such as within geographical areas of cities, companies, or university complexes or between academic areas can exist.

Leased lines, unlike dial-up connections, are always active. Such cable or broadband connections tend to be faster than dial-up connections but they are not necessarily more secure. Applying bandwidth management, application layer monitoring, and compression of transmissions from a singular integrated platform have given informational technology sources ways to direct network traffic more efficiently over WANs, as well as inspired more innovative ways to lessen the availability of information exposed across WANs to hackers.

According to a recent press release from CISCO systems, which has acquired Actona Networks is a move to help users link remote enterprise resources with corporate storage and file serving across its own succession of WANs, developing new and innovative local instances of data and their file systems can, along with additional efforts regarding network traffic compression, let files be accessed and saved more quickly between currently existing remote and central sites, while still allowing for password and security protection for users moving from one site to another, across any available WAN or LAN within the WAN network. (Hotchmuth & Connor, 2004)

For instance, the use of remote office storage and caching appliances can be used to eliminate remote file servers, storage and back-up devices from branch offices, while boosting performance of centrally hosted Unix-, Linux- and Windows-based applications. Such efforts can also increase security, as diminishing the need for remote file and storage enables a more efficient and tightly run system that is speedier, without requiring any compromises in currently existing encrypting technology. (Hotchmuth & Connor, 2004)

When remote office storage and caching appliances are added to existing WANs, when a file is shared between users on the WAN, only the necessary changes to an opened file are sent back to the central site, instead of the entire file. This development can further reduce the risk of security compromises on a system that already deploys remote office storage and caching to its system of protected switches and routers. Such evolving WAN protective technology also eliminates the need for remote office backup, which can be slow over low-speed links include local hard disks and can attach to additional storage devices or connect to file servers or network-attached storage systems.