POS Systems and WAN (Wide Area Networks)

A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a computer network used to exchange information over a wide geographical area. It can be situated within several countries or even worldwide. Larger than a LAN, it can use phone lines or satellites as transmission media. In some cases, linking together several LANs forms a WAN. The most well-known example of a WAN is the Internet.

WANs are used to connect local area networks (LANs) together, so that users and computers in one location can communicate with users and computers in other locations. In our scenario, we use PCs on one side and a POS system or a POS network on the other. Both are situated in their own local LAN. The WAN connects these two networks, so that communication between them is possible via the Internet. Network protocols include TCP/IP delivery transport and addressing functions.

The QUORiON WAN functionality is based on DDNS (dynamic domain name service), so that POS systems and local PCs can find one another through the Internet without a static IP. The DDNS service identifies the parties (participating devices such as ECRs or PCs) on the WAN. Once devices are identified data interchange can take place. The Internet provides the network architecture needed to carry this type of communication.

The protocol we use is called a Point-to-Point Connection, which depends on lines to connect two far apart computers (POS systems) in a network to remotely manage the unit.

Read up on service lines used in WANs in our technical background section.

WAN Benefits

Secure and fast data transmission between different networks. The data transmission is also reliable and inexpensive.
You can use the WAN to access remote support agents to download logs or run utilities to help make a diagnosis of potential problems
You can use the WAN for remote administration, i.e. programming or uploading new POS parameters with Q-Prog
You can call up reports and analyze sales data from your home or office

Devices Used in WANs

Among the many devices used in a WAN is a router. A router is commonly used in the frame relay of T1-based WANs. It is also used to link LANs with WANs (such as the Internet). Many kinds of routers can also act as a firewall, which helps to provide a high level of security. Routers are also beneficial when linking WANs to the Internet, as they can monitor security policies within a WAN.

When transferring data between networks using analog phone lines, a device called a modem is needed. A modem is used to convert computer digital signals to analog signals – and vice versa. Currently, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is commonly used, although DSL is getting more popular. ISDN transfers digital signals without converting them. These signals are transferred with the help of an ISDN terminal adapter. ISDNs can transmit data at a speed up to 128 Kbps, while DSL is commonly available at 768 Kbps.

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