Ultra Wireless Access Point Users Guide

33
Glossary
Glossary
Access Point
An Access Point (AP) is a wired controller that sends data to the
wireless NICs installed in your network computers, and receives
data back from them. An AP is often connected to the network
computer that has Internet access, or is directly connected to a DSL
or cable modem. The AP then allows other stations on your WLAN
to access the Internet.
Access Point Name
The Access Point Name displayed on the Basic Set-up page of the
Wireless Access Point Utility identifies the Wireless AP on a wired
network. It has no security function, but makes it easier to identify
your Wireless AP.
Ad-hoc mode
See operating mode.
channel
Your Wireless device communicates with other devices on your
WLAN over a specific channel. The channel is similar to a radio
channel—any Wireless device linking to your Wireless device must
be “tuned” to the same channel.
In Infrastructure mode, the channel is selected by the Access Point
or Router. It automatically selects a channel from the range
available for your geographical location (11 channels are available
for use in the United States) and communicates that channel to
your Wireless device. In Ad Hoc mode only, you can set the
channel yourself.
device driver
A device driver is a software program that lets an adapter (such as
a PC card, PCI card, or USB adapter) or any other device (such as a
printer or CD-ROM drive) communicate with the computer that it's
connected to.
Ethernet
Ethernet is a popular networking system that uses NICs and cables
(and often, other networking devices such as bridges and hubs) to
create a LAN.