Global Area Network (GAN)

A Global Area Network, or GAN, is a communications network that extends across very large geographical distances and connects networks at locations worldwide. A GAN can interconnect multiple Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs) using different transmission technologies. These can include fibre optic connections, mobile networks, satellite communications and international telecommunications networks. The internet is the best-known example of a globally interconnected network. Organisations with internationally distributed locations can use GAN infrastructures to connect offices, data centres, cloud services and other IT resources. Performance, availability, network security and latency are important considerations when planning and operating global network infrastructures.