What is the difference between a LAN and WAN port?,,, How to Use them?

There is a difference between LAN and WAN ports when looking at the latest network routers that have a built-in switching function. In the body of the router box, there are three to five ports.

You will not be able to connect to the Internet by plugging a cable from an ISP into any of the ports. The ports are highlighted in different colors and are labeled if you look closely. Typically, routers have 4 to 8 LAN ports and a WAN port.

Inexperienced users may think that they are exactly the same, but this isn't true. Let's compare WAN vs. LAN ports. Here I will explain in the simplest terms what a LAN and a WAN port are and where the cable should be connected.

What is LAN Port? and Used for?

Through the LAN ports of a router, several computer devices can be connected in one access point to share data and files over ethernet cables or wireless connections.

In general, home routers have four LAN ports of similar type and color on the back. By connecting these identical jacks, it can host a network of up to four connected devices.

LAN Ports

LAN ports are required when you want to connect a number of computers at a short distance to the Internet through a group network. For example, you could create a network that covers an area of a few kilometers, for which you would need a high-speed cable.

The computers or mobile phones on the same LAN can see each other's files and printers, for example. You will need a switch (or network hub) if you want to create a huge local network. These devices are specially designed to add more LAN ports to the switch.

"Good to Know ~ To get to the Internet through a LAN port, the router must have a Wide Area Network (WAN) port."

What is WAN Port? and Used for?

In order for all the devices to take advantage of the internet, the WAN port on the back of the router is used to connect with the modem and access the Internet from the ISP provider.

WAN Port

In any router, the WAN port is always separate from the LAN ports and often has a different color to distinguish it from the LAN ports. A LAN can only cover a small area, whereas a WAN can connect multiple LANs, which can ultimately connect a city, country, or even continent.

Generally, a router has only one WAN port. There are some models with dual WAN ports for enterprises, so you can use them to connect two different modems, generally from different Internet providers, simultaneously.

It provides security features such as a firewall with port-forwarding and prioritizes Internet traffic through its quality of service features and asserts the unique public IP address your Internet Service Provider assigns you.

The Difference Between WAN Port and LAN Port

WAN and LAN ports differ mainly in their function. A WAN port connects to a modem for Internet access, while a LAN port shares that connection with other devices connected to the router, such as a computer, printer, and mobile phone.

In order to connect a home router to the Internet, the user needs to know the difference between these ports. It is necessary to have a LAN socket in order to connect computers if there are several, as well as a WAN port to receive a signal from the Internet provider via the modem.

In addition, the data transfer rates differ between the ports. Often, the speed at which data is transferred in a local network is faster than the speed at which data is downloaded from the Internet. A limitation in the levy plan from the provider or a limitation of the connector itself can cause this.

LAN ports, for instance, can reach speeds of up to 1000 Mbps, while WAN ports can reach speeds of up to 100 Mbps. This means that devices can exchange data at a high speed, provided the network cards of the devices support it. Anyhow, the WAN will limit the speed of exchange with the "outside world"

Comparison of LAN vs. WAN Port

1. Meaning

LAN ports connect all devices via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi to create a local network.

By connecting all routers via a WAN port, a wide network is created.

2. Full Form

Local Area Network Port.

Wide Area Network Port.

3. Use

All connected devices can access the Internet or share files using the LAN port.

All routers connected to the WAN port can access the Internet by connecting a modem or wireless broadband.

4. Speed

LAN ports have a higher bandwidth of up to 1000 Mbps.

Up to 100 Mbps, WAN ports have lower bandwidth than LAN ports.

5. Number of Ports

It is possible to see many LAN ports on the router, including four, six, eight, and so on.

There is usually only one WAN port on a router.

6. Color of Ports

LAN ports are usually yellow in color.

On most routers, there is only one WAN port.

7. Networking Devices

WLAN, Ethernet cables, Token Ring and Fiber distributed data interfaces, FDDI, TCP/IP, etc.

Satellite, wireless broadband, modems, routers, switches, and optical wires.

8. Data transfer Protocols

Ethernet cable and IEEE 802.11 wireless network.

Frame Relay Protocol, HDLC, and PPP..

How is a modem/broadband connected to a WAN port?

An Internet service connection is linked to a wireless broadband/modem through a WAN port on the router, so customers have access to the Internet and its benefits on their computers.

A modem generally has LAN ports (for connecting to a router's WAN port) and a service port, such as a coaxial port (cable modems) or a telephone port (DSL modems) connected to the service line.

If you only have the modem, you can only connect to the Internet through an Ethernet-ready device, such as a computer. A router will allow you to connect more than one device to the Internet. Combo devices combine a modem and a router, or wireless router, all in one.

FAQs

Can we use LAN port as a WAN port?

It is possible to make the LAN ports on the modem WAN, in the modem's settings, if needed. Depending on the device you have and the service type offered by your provider, you might need professional assistance.

Can we configure our router?

The firmware that controls the router provides all the functionality of the router. You can usually install third-party, open-source firmware that offers full access to the router's capabilities if the firmware that a router manufacturer provides does not allow you to configure advanced networking features.

What is the use of router firmware?

We can configure the router to use IPv4 or IPv6, and once the network protocol has been selected, we can choose whether to get IP through DHCP, PPPoE, or another method.

How many ports does a router have?

A router's number of ports depends on its model. Generally, the home-level and small office devices have 4 LANs and 1 WAN. There are also more expensive devices with up to 8 LAN ports and up to 2 WAN ports.

What is the best way to increase the number of LAN connections on the router?

When the number of devices you want to connect to increases and the LAN port is insufficient, you can increase the number of connected devices by purchasing a "network hub". Multiple LAN cables can be connected to it and it acts as a single network component.

What is the topology of LAN and WAN?

LANs only support direct topology, while WANs rely on mixed hierarchical topology.