User's Manual

Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS) A set of clients communicating with each other or with a
network via an access point.
Internet Protocol (IP) The network layer protocol for routing packets through the Internet.
IP address 32-bit number, usually presented as a period-separated (dotted decimal) list of three-
digit numbers, which identifies an entity on the Internet according to the Internet
Protocol standard.
local area network (LAN) A group of computers, servers, printers, and other devices connected
to one another, with the ability to share data between them.
management information bases (MIBs) A database of objects that can be monitored by a
network management system. Both SNMP and RMON use standardized MIB
formats that allows any SNMP and RMON tools to monitor any device defined
by a MIB.
maskbits Number of bits in the subnet prefix for an IP address, (provides the same information
as subnet mask). Each triplet of digits in an IP address consists of 8 bits. To
specify the subnet in maskbits, count the number of bits in the prefix. To specify
using a subnet mask, indicate the masked bits as an IP address. Example: subnet
mask 255.255.255.0 is equivalent to 24 maskbits, which is the total number of
bits in the 255.255.255 prefix.
Media Access Control (MAC) address A unique hardware-based equipment identifier, set
during device manufacture. The MAC address uniquely identifies each node of a
network. Access points can be configured with MAC access lists, allowing only
certain specific devices to connect with the LAN through them, or to allow
certain MAC-identified network cards or devices access only to certain
resources.
MAC address authentication Method of authenticating clients by using the MAC address of the
client station rather than a user ID.
Network Address Translation (NAT) The translation of one IP address used within a network to
another address used elsewhere. One frequent use of NAT is the translation of
IPs used inside a company, versus the IP addresses visible to the outside world.
This feature helps increase network security to a small degree, because when the
address is translated, it is an opportunity to authenticate the request and/or to
match it to known, authorized types of requests. NAT is also used sometimes to
map multiple nodes to a single outwardly visible IP address.
Network Interface Card (NIC) Generic term for network interface hardware that includes wired
and wireless LAN adapter cards, PC Cardbus PCMCIA cards, and USB-to-LAN
adapters.
network management system (NMS) Software application that controls a network of multiple
access points and clients.
node Generic term for a network entity. Includes an access point, network adapter (wireless or
wired), or network appliance (such as a print server or other non-computer
device).
Page 32 of 36 Installation and User Guide: Wireless LAN Client