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WAN

Wide Area Network; a network (such as a PSTN) that connects users and systems across large distances. A WAN usually includes telephone or other long distance media.

watchdog timer

A timer that monitors system software status, and expires if system software is not operating.

WAVE

Microsoft file format supporting various speech encodings, typically PCM.

well-known channel

A channel dedicated to a specific network application for connections made with UDP or TCP. See also TCP, UDP.

well-known port

A port number dedicated to a specific network application for connections made with UDP or TCP. See also TCP, UDP.

wink

An out-of-band signaling method that simulates an off-hook condition for a brief period.

WOSA

Microsoft Windows Open Systems Architecture; a software architecture that provides a single system-level interface for connecting front-end applications with back-end services. Windows Telephony is part of WOSA.