User's Manual

64 Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Adapter User’s Guide
virtual DMZ
The Microsoft base stations support a variation of DMZ
hosting capabilities, called a “virtual DMZ.” DMZ is an
acronym for “demilitarized zone,” which refers to an area
of your network that is outside of the rewall, and so is
exposed to direct access from the Internet.
VPN
Acronym for “virtual private network.” A set of computers
on a public network, such as the Internet, that
communicate among themselves by using encryption
technology.
WAN
Acronym for “wide area network.” A geographically
widespread network that might include many linked
local area networks (LANs).
WEP
Acronym for “Wired Equivalent Privacy.” An encryption
mechanism that helps protect data transmitted over
wireless networks. If you are operating a wireless
network, it is strongly recommended that you enable
WEP. See “WPA.”
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi® is a popular term for certain wireless networks.
wireless access
point
A device that exchanges data wirelessly as an
intermediary between computers on a network,
especially between wireless and wired components of
a network. An access point is not as sophisticated a
device as a base station (gateway or router). See “base
station.”
WLAN
Acronym for “wireless local area network.” A network
that exclusively relies on wireless technology for device
connections.
workgroup
A group of computers connected to each other over
a network and sharing computer les, printers, and
other resources. All computers on a network that wish
to share resources must be members of the same
workgroup.
WPA
Acronym for “Wi-Fi Protected Access™.” A wireless
security standard that improves upon its predecessor,
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), by providing stronger
encryption, making a network harder to access without
proper authentication.
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