User's Manual

DRAFT - CISCO CONFIDENTIAL
Glossary
GL-2
Cisco Aironet 1400 Series Wireless Bridge Hardware Installation Guide
OL-4072-01
D
Data Rates
The range of data transmission rates supported by a device. Data rates are measured in megabits
per second (Mbps).
dBi
A ratio of decibels to an isotropic antenna that is commonly used to measure antenna gain. The
greater the dBi value, the higher the gain, and the more acute the angle of coverage.
dBm
A power measurement described in decibels per milliwatt. 0 dBm is defined as 1 mw at 1 kHz of
frequency at 600 ohms of impedance.
DHCP
Dynamic host configuration protocol. A protocol available with many operating systems that
automatically issues IP addresses within a specified range to devices on the network. The device
retains the assigned address for a specific administrator-defined period.
Dipole
A type of low-gain (2.2-dBi) antenna consisting of two (often internal) elements.
Domain Name
The text name that refers to a grouping of networks or network resources based on
organization-type or geography; for example: name.com—commercial; name.edu—educational;
name.gov—government; ISPname.net—network provider (such as an ISP); name.ar—Argentina;
name.au—Australia; and so on.
DNS
Domain Name System server. A server that translates text names into IP addresses. The server
maintains a database of host alphanumeric names and their corresponding IP addresses.
DSSS
Direct sequence spread spectrum. A type of spread spectrum radio transmission that spreads its
signal continuously over a wide frequency band.
E
EAP
Extensible Authentication Protocol. An optional IEEE 802.1x security feature ideal for
organizations with a large user base and access to an EAP-enabled Remote Authentication Dial-In
User Service (RADIUS) server.
Ethernet
The most widely used wired local area network. Ethernet uses carrier sense multiple access
(CSMA) to allow computers to share a network and operates at 10, 100, or 1000 Mbps, depending
on the physical layer used.
F
File Server
A repository for files so that a local area network can share files, mail, and programs.
Firmware
Software that is programmed on a memory chip.