User's Manual

54Mbps Wireless LAN Card User's Manual

IRE. IEEE is an organization composed of engineers, scientists, and students. The IEEE

is best known for developing standards for the computer and electronics industry.

Infrastructure An 802.11 networking framework in which devices communicate with each other by

first going through an Access Point (AP). In Infrastructure mode, wireless devices can

communicate with each other or can communicate with a wired network.

IP Internet Protocol. The standard protocol within TCP/IP that defines the basic unit of

information passed across an Internet connection by breaking down data messages into

packets, routing and transporting the packets over network connections, then

reassembling the packets at their destination. IP corresponds to the network layer in the

ISO/OSI model.

IP Address An IP Address is a 32-bit number that identifies each sender or receiver of information

sent across the Internet. An IP address has two parts: the identifier of a particular

network on the Internet and an identifier of the particular device (which can be a server

or a workstation) within that network.

LAN Local Area Network. A communication network that serves users within a defined

geographical area. The benefits include the sharing of Internet access, files, and

equipment, such as printers and storage devices. Special network cabling (such as

10BaseT) is often used to connect the PCs together.

MAC Address The MAC (Media Access Control) Address is a 12 digit Hexadecimal number that

uniquely identify your network adapter on the network.

Media The materials used to connect network devices, such as twisted-

air wire, coaxial cables,

or fiber optic cables. Some networks do not use physical connecting media;

communications are achieved via radio waves instead.

Mbps Stands for millions of bits per second or megabits per second and is a measurement for

data transmission

Protocol The rules and encoding specifications for sending data.

RF Radio Frequency, any frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum associated with

radio wave propagation. When an RF current is supplied to an antenna, an

electromagnetic field is created that then is able to propagate through space.

Roaming In an Infrastructure mode wireless network, roaming refers to the ability to move from

one AP coverage area to another without interruption in service or loss in connectivity.

SSID Service Set Identifier, up to 32-character unique identifier attached to the header of

ackets sent over a WLAN that acts as a password when a mobile device tries to connect

to the BSS. The SSID differentiates one WLAN from another; so all access points and

all devices attempting to connect to a specific WLAN must use the same SSID. A device

will not be permitted to join the BSS unless it can provide the unique SSID. An SSID is