wall mount bracket - Support device having a diagonal brace between the vertical section and the horizontal section, and mounted to a wall.

Walsh code - A common orthogonal code used for direct sequence spread spectrum in a code division multiple access network.

waveguide - A device used to direct radio frequency transmissions or light waves. A waveguide in radio systems normally consists of a hollow metallic conductor, usually rectangular, elliptical, or circular in cross section. In lightwave applications, a waveguide is normally small prisms or optical fibers.

wavelength - The distance between two points in the same phase in consecutive cycles measured in the direction of propagation.

waveshape (lightning) - The numerical method of describing a voltage surge wave in terms of rise time versus decay time (e.g., 1 x 50 or 10 x 100). The first number represents the rise time of the surge in microseconds from zero to peak surge value. The second number represents the subsequent surge decay time to 50 percent of the peak surge value from the beginning of the surge.

wayside - A channel on a microwave carrier that can accommodate small amounts of traffic without requiring multiplexers at each site.

Web site acceleration - A term used to describe a content acceleration appliance that is used to cache the locally stored content requested by remote users. Also called reverse proxy. See also Internet acceleration.

whip antenna - A long, thinly shaped omnidirectional antenna.

wide area interface card (WIC) - See remote access interface card.

wide area internetworking - See wide area network.

wide area network (WAN) - A data communications system that uses telecommunications circuits to link LANs that are distributed over large geographic distances.

wideband - The property of a circuit that has a bandwidth wider than normal for the type of circuit, frequency of operation, or type of modulation.

wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) - Developed to increase the information-carrying capacity of optical fiber transmission systems. This technique modulates a series of data streams using a different wavelength of light for each stream and simultaneously transports the multiple wavelengths over a single optical fiber.

wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) - A channel that is four times wider than the current channels typically used in second-generation networks in North America.

winch - A device that acts as an assist mechanism for advancing a cable or groups of cables during installation.

wind load - The total force exerted by the wind on a structure or part of a structure. The total design wind load includes the sum of the horizontal forces applied to the structure in the direction of the wind and the design wind load.

window attenuation - In free space optics systems, clear glass windows introduce approximately four percent attenuation for each pane of glass traversed by a beam. Tinted or coated windows, however, can cause much greater attenuation of the optical beam.

wire - An individually insulated solid or stranded metallic conductor.

wired equivalent privacy (WEP) - WEP data encryption is defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard to prevent (a) access to the network by intruders using similar wireless LAN (WLAN) equipment and (b) capture of WLAN traffic through eavesdropping. Access is denied by anyone who does not have an assigned key.

wireless access reconnaissance (WAR) driving - A process of traveling and looking for wireless access point signals that can be used to acquire network access.

wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) - when referring to IEEE 802.11 blg equipment, a trade term promulgated by the WiFi Alliance. Wi-Fi is used in place of IEEE 802.11 b/g in the same way that Ethernet is used in place of IEEE 802.3.

wireless LAN gateway - A device that provides functions similar to a wireless LAN switch but with additional administrative features.

wireless LAN switch - A network access device designed to centrally manage all connected access points in a wireless LAN environment.

wireless local area network (WLAN) - Using radio frequency technology, such networks transmit and receive data over the air, minimizing the need for wired connections. Thus, WLANs combine data connectivity with user mobility. WLANs are essentially networks that allow the transmission of data and the ability to share resources (e.g., printers) without the need to physically connect each node, or computer.

wireless mesh network (IEEE 802.11x) - network that uses a mesh network topology between wireless nodes.

wire management - Components placed on racks or walls to support the routing of cables.

wire map - Pin to pin termination and continuity of each individual conductor. The wire map indicates continuity to the remote end, shorts between two or more conductors, reversed pairs, split pairs, transposed pairs, and any other miswiring.

wire map tester - An instrument used to determine circuit opens, shorts, crossed pairs, improper wiring, and the determination of proper pin configuration; additionally, some units indicate cable length.

wire mesh grip - A device attached to the end of a cable, which facilitates the pulling of cable. Also called a mesh grip.

wirewrap - Termination of conductors by wrapping the conductor around a post.

witness lines - In telecommunications cabling, the visible physical impression made by cabling that is installed adjacent to the surface.

work area (work station) - A building space where the occupants interact with telecommunications terminal equipment.

work area cable (cord) - A cable connecting the telecommunications outlet/connector to the terminal equipment.

work area outlet - A connecting device for termination of horizontal media. See also telecommunications outlet/connector.

workflow - A groupware feature that guides multiple network users as they individually perform a sequence of tasks on a common document.

working group (WG) - A group of people temporarily working together to achieve some objective (e.g., development of a standard).

workstation - An information transport systems (ITS) device used in communicating with another ITS device.

worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) - Popular name for the IEEE 802.16 wireless standard for metropolitan area networks. Data rates to 70 Mbls and ranges to 48 km (30 mi).

wye - A power system in which only one point (usually the midpoint of a supply transformer bank) is grounded. If the neutral is present, it is not grounded along the line.