A wide area network is a network that covers a large geographical area, which can cover different cities, countries, or even the world, to enable communication between computers and devices in different locations.
The Internet is a global public computer network that consists of many interconnected networks that communicate through standardized protocols. The Internet offers a variety of services, including the World Wide Web, e-mail, file transfer, and more.
Although both are networks used to connect data transmission in different geographic locations, they are distinctly different in terms of ownership, purpose of use, and topology.
In terms of topology:
WAN is mainly used within an enterprise or organization and can adopt different topologies such as star, ring, mesh, etc., depending on the needs of the organization.
The Internet uses a distributed, decentralized topology that allows a variety of devices to connect to each other through routers.
Ownership:
WANs are typically provided by network service providers. Organizations can have more control and can configure and manage the network autonomously.
The Internet is a public resource and there is no single owner or controller. It is jointly maintained and managed by the various organizations and providers connected to it.
Purpose of use:
WANs are primarily used to connect remote offices, branch offices, data centers, and more to support a wide range of communication needs within an enterprise.
The Internet offers a wide range of services, including information retrieval, email, social**, shopping, and more, connecting computers and devices around the world.