User's Manual

Terminology

The following is a list of terminology used in this document.

Access Point – An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless

networks.

Ad hoc – An ad hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers each with LAN adapters,

connected as an independent wireless LAN.

Backbone – The core infrastructure of a network. The portion of the network that

transports information from one central location to another central location where it is

unloaded onto a local system.

Base Station – In mobile telecommunications, a base station is the central radio

transmitter/receiver that maintains communications with the mobile radiotelephone sets

within its range. In cellular and personal communications applications, each cell or

micro-cell has its own base station; each base station in turn is interconnected with other

cells’ bases.

BSS – BSS stands for “Basic Service Set.” It is an access point and all the LAN PCs that

are associated with it.

CSMA/CA – Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance.

ESS – ESS (ESS-ID, SSID) stands for “Extended Service Set.” More than one BSS is

configured to become an Extended Service Set. LAN mobile users can roam between

different BSSs in an ESS (ESS-ID, SSID).

Ethernet – A popular local area data communications network, which accepts

transmission from computers and terminals. Ethernet operates on a 10 Mbps baseband

transmission rate, using a shielded coaxial cable, or shielded twisted pair telephone wire.

Infrastructure – An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an infrastructure

configuration.

Roaming – A wireless LAN mobile user moves around an ESS and maintains a

continuous connection to the infrastructure network.

RTS Threshold – Transmitters contending for the medium may not be aware of each

other. RTS/CTS mechanism can solve this “Hidden Node Problem.” If the packet size is

smaller than the preset RTS Threshold size, the RTS/CTS mechanism will NOT be

enabled.

WEP – “Wired Equivalent Privacy” is based on the use of 64-bit, 128-bit, or 152-bit keys

and the popular RC4 encryption algorithm. Wireless devices without a valid WEP key will

be excluded from network traffic.