NWK

NWK is an acronym used to refer to multiple, unrelated concepts, depending on the context. In computing and telecommunications, NWK most commonly denotes the Network layer in several protocol stacks, notably the Zigbee specification. The NWK layer provides network-wide services such as addressing, routing, network formation and maintenance, route discovery, neighbor tables, and security, operating between the data link (MAC) layer and the application framework.

Outside of networking, NWK is used as an initialism for various organizations, companies, and projects. Because the meaning depends on language, geography, and sector, there is no single canonical interpretation. In documents, NWK is often accompanied by additional terms that clarify its sense, such as “NWK network layer,” or a proper name beginning with N, W, and K.

As with many acronyms, the significance of NWK is determined by context. If a source uses NWK without clarification, readers should look for nearby keywords such as “network,” “layer,” “cooperative,” or geographic references to infer the intended meaning, and consult a glossary or index when available.