User Manual

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. A MDS entraNET 900 System Guide (Preliminary) 137
through the access points' territory. In order to do this, the station
employs roaming and Mobile IP.
Mode—See Device Mode.
MTBF—Mean-Time Between Failures
Multiple Address System (MAS)—See Point-Multipoint System.
Network Name—User-selectable alphanumeric string that is used to
identify a group of transceivers that form a communications network.
The Access Point and all Remotes within a given system should have the
same network address.
Network-Wide Diagnostics—An advanced method of controlling and
interrogating MDS radios in a radio network.
Passive Scanning—Scanning is a process used by stations to detect
other access points on network to which it may connect if it needs to
roam. Passive scanning is a slower process in which it listens for infor-
mation offered by the access points on a regular basis. Active scanning
is a faster process in which the station sends out probe message to which
the access points respond. Passive scanning can be done while main-
taining the current network connectivity. Active scanning affects the RF
configuration of the radio and therefore, at least temporarily, discon-
nects the station from the access point.
PING—P
acket INternet Groper. Diagnostic message generally used to
test reachability of a network device, either over a wired or wireless net-
work.
Point-Multipoint System—A radio communications network or
system designed with a central control station that exchanges data with
a number of remote locations equipped with terminal equipment.
Poll—A request for data issued from the host computer (or master PLC)
to a remote radio.
Portability—A station is considered connected when it has successfully
authenticated and associated with an access point. A station is consid-
ered authenticated when it has agreed with the access point on the type
of encryption that will be used for data packets traveling between them.
The process of association causes a station to be bound to an access
point and allows it to receive and transmit packets to and from the access
point. In order for a station to be associated it must first authenticate
with the access point. The authentication and association processes
occur automatically without user intervention.
Portability refers to the ability of a transceiver to connect to an access
point from multiple locations without the need to reconfigure the net-
work settings. For example, a transceiver located in one place and con-