Computer Glossary - Page 3

Technical Terms and Acronyms - Letters W through Z

Computer Glossary

WDM (wavelength-division multiplexing): when two or more different wavelengths of light each carrying information are multiplexed together on a fiber link, and demultiplexed at the receiving end to recapture the individual information carried by each wavelength used

WAN (wide area network): geographically dispersed network of computers

WC3 (World Wide Web Consortium): user and developer forum dedicated to developing interoperable Web technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools)

Wi-Fi: describes the underlying technology of wireless local area networks (WLAN) based on IEEE specifications; originally developed for mobile computing devices in LANs, but is now used for more services, including Internet and VoIP phone access

Wireless: telecommunications in which electromagnetic waves (rather than some form of wire) carry the signal over part or all of the communication path

Word size: number of bits that a processor can manipulate at a time

WPAN (wireless personal area networks):wireless network for interconnecting devices centered around an individual person's workspace; typically limited to a 10 meter range

WLAN (wireless local area network): computer network used for wireless communications among computer devices (including telephones and PDAs); also known as LAWN (local area wireless network)

WWW (World Wide Web): server-based application that organizes information using hypermedia

xDSL (digital subscriber line): technologies that provide digital data transmission over the wires of a local telephone network

XML (extensible markup language): W3C (World Wide Web consortium)-recommended general-purpose markup language that supports a wide variety of applications