Wide Area Network (WAN): a computer network that covers a broad area (i.e., any network whose communications links cross metropolitan, regional, or national boundaries). WANs are used to connect LANs and other types of networks together, so that users and computers in one location can communicate with users and computers in other locations.

Local Area Network (LAN): a computer network covering a small geographic area, like a home, office, or group of buildings. The defining characteristics of LANs, in contrast to Wide Area Networks (WANs), include higher data transfer rates, smaller geographic range, and no dependence on leased telecommunication lines.

Virtual Private Network (VPN): a communications network tunneled through another network, and dedicated for a specific network. VPNs can be used to separate the traffic of different user communities over an underlying network with strong security features.

Wireless LAN (WLAN): a wireless local area network, which is the linking of two or more computers without using wires. WLAN utilizes spread-spectrum or OFDM modulation technology based on radio waves to enable communication between devices in a limited area, also known as the basic service set. This gives users the mobility to move around within a broad coverage area and still be connected to the network.

Remote Access: communication with a data processing facility from a remote location or facility through a data link. A common method of providing this type of remote access is using a VPN.

Power Over Ethernet (POE): a system to transmit electrical power, along with data, to remote devices over standard twisted-pair cable in an Ethernet network. This technology is useful for powering IP telephones, wireless LAN access points, Network cameras, Ethernet hubs, embedded computers, and other appliances where it would be inconvenient, expensive, or infeasible to supply power separately.