19216811.liveSECTION 5, GLOSSARY
5-11
installation. You can connect up to 127 devices to a single USB
port.
V
VoIP
Voice over Internet Protocol is a method to exchange voice, fax,
and other information over the Internet. Voice and fax have
traditionally been carried over traditional telephone lines of the
PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) using a dedicated
circuit for each line. VoIP enables calls to travel as discrete data
packets on shared lines. VoIP is an important part of the
convergence of computers, telephones, and television into a
single integrated information network.
VPN
A virtual private network is a private network that uses “virtual”
connections (tunnels) routed over a public network (usually the
Internet) to provide a secure and fast connection; usually to users
working remotely at home or in small branch offices. A VPN
connection provides security and performance similar to a
dedicated link (for example, a leased line), but at much lower
cost.
W
WAN
A wide-area network provides a connection over a large
geographic area, such as a country or the whole world. The
bandwidth depends on need and cost, but is usually much lower
than for a LAN.
WAP
Wireless Access Point or Wireless Access Protocol. See also
Access Point
.
WEP
Wired Equivalent Privacy encryption protects the privacy of data
transmitted over a wireless LAN. WEP uses keys to encrypt and
decrypt transmitted data. The access point must authenticate a
client before it can transfer data to another client. WEP is part of
IEEE 802.11b.
Wi-Fi
®
Wireless fidelity (pronounced why'-fy) brand name applied to
products supporting IEEE 802.11b/g.
WLAN
Wireless LAN.