User's Manual

18
5 Glossary
ٛ 1. IEEE 802.11 Standard
ٛ The IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN standards subcommittee, which is formulating a standard for the industry.
ٛ 2. Access Point
ٛ An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks together.
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ٛ 3. Ad Hoc
ٛ An Ad Hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with a WLAN adapter, connected as an independent wireless LAN.
Ad Hoc wireless LAN is applicable at a departmental scale for a branch or SOHO operation.
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ٛ 4. BSSID
A specific Ad Hoc LAN is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). Computers in a BSS must be configured with the same BSSID.
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ٛ 5. DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol - a method in which IP addresses are assigned by server dynamically to clients on the
network. DHCP is used for Dynamic IP Addressing and requires a dedicated DHCP server on the network.
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ٛ 6. Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
This is the method the wireless cards use to transmit data over the frequency spectrum. The other method is frequency
hopping. Direct sequence spreads the data over one frequency range (channel) while frequency hopping jumps from one
narrow frequency band to another many times per second.
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ٛ 7. ESSID
An Infrastructure configuration could also support roaming capability for mobile workers. More than one BSS can be
configured as an Extended Service Set (ESS). Users within an ESS could roam freely between BSSs while served as a
continuous connection to the network wireless stations and Access Points within an ESS must be configured with the same
ESSID and the same radio channel.
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ٛ 8. Ethernet
Ethernet is a 10/100Mbps network that runs over dedicated home/office wiring. Users must be wired to the network at all
times to gain access.
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ٛ 9. Gateway
ٛ A gateway is a hardware and software device that connects two dissimilar systems, such as a LAN and a mainframe. In
Internet terminology, a gateway is another name for a router. Generally a gateway is used as a funnel for all traffic to the
Internet.
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ٛ 10. IEEE
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Infrastructure. An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an
Infrastructure configuration. Infrastructure is applicable to enterprise scale for wireless access to central database, or wireless
application for mobile workers.
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ٛ 11. ISM Band
ٛ The FCC and their counterparts outside of the U.S. have set aside bandwidth for unlicensed use in the so-called ISM
(Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band. Spectrum in the vicinity of 2.4 GHz, in particular, is being made available
worldwide. This presents a truly revolutionary opportunity to place convenient high-speed wireless capabilities in the hands
of users around the globe.
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ٛ 12. Local Area Network (LAN)
ٛ A LAN is a group of computers, each equipped with the appropriate network adapter card connected by cable/air, that share
applications, data, and peripherals. All connections are made via cable or wireless media, but a LAN does not use telephone
services. It typically spans a single building or campus.
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ٛ 13. Network
A network is a system of computers that is connected. Data, files, and messages can be transmitted over this network.
Networks may be local or wide area networks.
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ٛ 14. Protocol
ٛ A protocol is a standardized set of rules that specify how a conversation is to take place, including the format, timing,
sequencing and/ or error checking.
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ٛ 15. SSID
ٛ A Network ID unique to a network. Only clients and Access Points that share the same SSID are able to communicate with
each other. This string is case-sensitive.