User's Manual

Glossary
W
WEP64 and WEP128: Wired Equivalent Privacy, 64-bit and 128-bit (64-bit is sometimes referred to as 40-bit).
This is a low-level encryption technique designed to give the user about the same amount of privacy that he
would expect from a LAN. It is recommended to use the 128-bit option at all possible times. Remember that
802.11 devices transmit (broadcast) in all directions, and that it is possible, with very complex software, to copy
and decode WEP transmissions. The task is not trivial, but it is possible. If your data is extremely sensitive, you
should consider some form of secondary protection, such as strong passwords and an additional level of
encryption. Suitable software packages are available from reputable suppliers. Although not intended by the
original architects, WEP also helps prevents unauthorized access to your system by an outsider. Hackers have
been known to access systems from outside a building, and to then to access the Web for a leisurely session,
all at the system owner’s expense.
Wide Area Network (WAN): A wide area network (WAN) is a voice, data, or video network that provides
connections from one or more computers or networks within a business to one or more computers or networks
that are external to such business.
Wireless: A microwave transceiver system.
Wireless Network: Wireless LAN is a type of local-area network that uses high-frequency radio waves rather
than wires to communicate between nodes. WLAN is a flexible data communication system used as an
alternative to, or an extension of a wired LAN.
Wireless Node: A user computer with a wireless network interface card (adapter).
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