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Telnet — Telecommunication Network. A network protocol used on the Internet or on local area
networks.
TFTP — Trivial File Transfer Protocol. A file transfer protocol with a subset of FTP functionality.
UA — User Agent. Any device or software used to access a web page. A user agent might be a web
browser, a smart phone, or a screen reader.
UDP — User Datagram Protocol. A simple transport protocol used to transfer information on the
Internet.
UI — User Interface. The part of a software application or hardware device that a user sees and
interacts with.
USB — Universal Serial Bus. A connection type for computing device peripherals such as a printer,
mobile modem, etc. USB connectors may be used for data transfer or charging.
USB Port Types — The USB ports on computers and hubs have a rectangular Type A socket, and
peripheral devices have a cable with a Type A plug. Peripherals that do not have an attached cable
have a square Type B socket on the device and a separate cable with a Type A and Type B plug. Ports
and connectors are available in different sizes (for example, standard, mini, and micro).
VNC — Virtual Network Computing. A graphical desktop sharing system that uses the RFB protocol to
remotely control another computer.
VPN — Virtual Private Network. A secure private network that runs over the public Internet.
Commonly used to connect to an office network from elsewhere.
VPN Passthrough — A feature that allows a client to connect to a VPN server.
WAN — Wide Area Network. A public network that extends beyond architectural, geographical, or
political boundaries (unlike a LAN, which is usually a private network located within a room, building,
or other limited area).
WCDMA — Wideband Code-Division Multiple Access. A 3G mobile wireless technology that promises
much higher data speeds to mobile and portable wireless devices. Another name for UMTS.
WEP — Wired Equivalent Privacy. An IEEE standard security protocol for 802.11 networks. Superseded
by WPA and WPA2.
Wi-Fi — Wireless Fidelity. Any system that uses the 802.11 standard developed and released in 1997 by
the IEEE.
Wi-Fi Client — A wireless device that connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi.
WLAN — Wireless Local Area Network. A typically low-power network that transmits a wireless signal
over a span of a few hundred feet and usually only to stationary devices.
WPA/WPA2 — Wi-Fi Protected Access. A security protocol for wireless 802.11 networks from the Wi-Fi
Alliance.
WWAN — Wireless Wide Area Network. Wireless network technologies deployed over a large
geographical area to a large number of users (see WLAN). This service is usually provided through
cellular providers. WWAN connectivity allows a user with a laptop and a WWAN device to surf the
Internet, check email, or connect to a virtual private network (VPN) from anywhere within the
coverage area of the network operator.
