Wide Area Networks are also called long-haul networks. A WAN spans large physical distances, and have no geographical boundary such as a Local Area Network (LAN) would. WANs are usually connected via radio or telephone links rather than dedicated lines. WANs use packet switching methods or message switching methods and use optical fiber cable or satellite transmission. WANs and LANs are connected through gateways, which convert the protocol used in one network to those used in another.