Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET) CDC Set A Volume 4 Practice Exam

A wide area network (WAN) is specifically designed to connect multiple local area networks (LANs) and metropolitan area networks (MANs) over large geographical distances. It utilizes various communication technologies, such as leased telecommunication lines, satellites, and microwave links, to facilitate connectivity between distant networks. This type of network allows users in different locations to communicate and access shared resources seamlessly, regardless of how far apart they are.

This contrasts with local area networks (LANs), which operate within a limited area, such as a single building or campus, focusing on much shorter distances. Metropolitan area networks (MANs) cover larger areas than LANs but are still limited to a range comparable to a city or a large campus. Virtual private networks (VPNs) are created to provide secure connections over the internet; they do not inherently define geographic distance of network connections like WANs do. Thus, the correct choice highlights the WAN's capability to support extensive communication across vast distances.