WAIS:-

Abbreviation for Wide Area Information Service, pronounced* "ways". A service used to access text databases or libraries on the Internet. WAIS uses simple natural-language queries, and takes advantages of index searches for fast retrieval. Unlike Gopher, which only searches through the names of Gopher resources, WAIS can search the comer' of all documents retrievable form WAIS databases. WAIS is particularly adept at searching through collections of USENET newsgroups, electronic texts, and newspaper archives.

WATS:-

Abbreviation for Wide Area Telephone Service. Unlimited use of a telephone circuit for specified periods for a fixed charge.

Web Browser:-

A World Wide Web client application that lets you look at hypertext documents and follow links to other HTML documents on the Web. When you find something that interests you as you browse through a hypertext document, you can click your mouse on that object, and the system automatically takes care of accessing the Internet host that holds the document you requested; you don't need to know the IP address, the name of the host system, or any other details.

The NCSA Mosaic program, created by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, is an example of a popular Web browser.

Wide-Area Network:-

Abbreviated WAN. A network that connects users across large distances, often crossing the geographical boundaries of cities or states.

Wideband:-

In communications, a channel capable of handling more frequencies than a standard 3-kHz voice channel.

Windows NT:-

A 32-bit, multitasking, portable operating system developed by Microsoft, First released in 1993. Windows NT runs on Intel 80386 (or later) processors and reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, such as the MIPS R4000 and DEc Alpha, the PoerPC, and Hewlett-Packard's PA-RISC systems.

Windows NT contains the graphical user interface from Microsoft Windows 3.1. It can run Windows 3.1 and DOS applications, as well as OS/2 16-bit, character-based applications and new 32-bit programs specifically developed for Windows NT. Multitasking under Windows NT is preemptive, and applications can execute multiple threads, Windows NT supports several file systems, including the DOS file allocation table (FAT) system, installable systems such as CD-ROMs, and its own native NTFS. Windows NT also supports multiprocessing, Object linking and Embedding (OLE), and peer-to-peer networking.

Instead of giving (he first version of Windows NT the version number 1.0, Microsoft called it version 3.1, to associate it in the minds of buyers with the successful Windows 3.1. Also known as Windows NT Workstation.

Windows NT Server:-

A version of Windows NT that provides centralized network management and security functions. It has fault-tolerant features, such as disk mirroring, disk duplexing, RAID level 5 (redundant array of inexpensive disks), and UPS (uninterruptible power supply) monitoring. Previously known as Windows NT Advanced Server. The illustration on the opposite page shows the Windows NT Server architecture.

Windows NT Server supports connections to LAN Manager, LAN Server, UNIX, Macintosh, and NetWare, along with TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, PPP, and SLIP.

Wireless Communications:-

A method of connecting a node or a group of nodes into the main network using a technology other than conventional cabling. The following methods are in use:

• Infrared line of sight : High-frequency light waves are used to transmit data between nodes up to 24.4 meters (80 feet) apart using an unobstructed path; infrared beams cannot pass through masonry walls. Data rates are relatively high, in the tens of megabits per second range.

• High-frequency radio: High-frequency radio signals transmit data to nodes from 12.2 to 39.6 meters (40 to 130 feet) apart, depending on the nature of obstructions separating them; the signal can penetrate thin walls but not supporting masonry. Data rates are usually less than 1 megabit per second.

• Spread-spectrum radio: A small set of frequencies are available for wireless LANs without FCC approval. The 902 to 928 megahertz (MHz) band is known as the Industrial, Scientific, Medical (ISM) band and is not regulated. The 2.4 to 2.483 gigahertz (GHz) band Is regulated and requires an FCC license for use. Spread-spectrum nodes can be up to 243.8 meters (880 feet) apart in an open environment, and these radio waves can pass through masonry walls.

However, in an environment with fully enclosed offices, distances are limited to 33.5 meters (110 feet). Data rates are usually less than 1 megabit per second.

Wireless LANs are not always completely wireless. They may be used to replace the cabling on certain network segments or to connect groups of networks that use conventional cabling.

Workstation:-

1. In networking, any personal computer (other than the file server) attached to the

network.

2. A high-performance computer optimized for graphics applications, such as computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), or scientific applications.

World Wide Web:-

Abbreviated" WWW, W3, or simply the Web, A huge collection of hypertext pages on the Internet. World Wide Web concepts were developed, in Switzerland by the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (known as CERN), but the Web is not just a tool for scientists; it is one of the most flexible and exhibiting tools in existence for surfing the Internet.

Hypertext links connects pieces of information (text, graphics, audio, or video) in separate HTML pages located at the same or at different Internet sites, and you explore these pages and links using a Web browser such as the NCSA Mosaic application.

You can also access a WWW resource directly if you specify the appropriate URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The illustration on the following page shown an HTML page of the Exploratorium home page displayed by an OS/2 Web browser.

World Wide Web traffic is growing faster than most other Internet services, and the reason for this becomes obvious once you try a capable Web browser; it is very easy to access World Wide Web information.