Lucent Technologies PortMaster - Manual (Page 346)

Glossary
Glossary-36 PortMaster Configuration Guide
virtual connection
In Multichassis PPP, a connection made when a slave forwards all the packets it receives
for a particular connection to its corresponding master for processing.
virtual port
In Multichassis PPP, a port corresponding to the physical port of the slave.
virtual private network
See VPN.
VLSM
Variable-length subnet mask. A means of specifying a different subnet mask for the same
network number on different subnets. VLSM often allows addresses to be assigned more
efficiently. OSPF and BGP support “classless” or VLSM routes.
VPN
Virtual private network. A restricted network that uses public wires to connect nodes. A
VPN provides a way to encapsulate, or "tunnel," private data cheaply, reliably, and
securely through a public network, usually the Internet. IP packets are encapsulated in a
VPN protocol. VPNs use encryption and other security mechanisms to prevent
unauthorized users from accessing the network and intercepting the data.
W
WAN
Wide area network. Data communications network that serves users across a broad
geographic area and often uses transmission devices provided by common carriers. Frame
Relay is an example of a WAN. Compare LAN.