User's Manual

Winmate Communication Inc. User Guide Feb 12, 2001
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WLAN Glossary
Access Point (AP)
A device that transports data between a wireless network and a wired network
(infrastructure).
ad-hoc network
A wireless network composed only of stations (no access point). Also known as peer
to peer network
application layer
The top layer of OSI seven layers. It establishes communications with other users and
provides such services as file transfer and electronic mail to the end users of the
network.
association service
An IEEE 802.11 service that enables the mapping of a wireless station to the
distribution system via an access point.
authentication
The process a station uses to announce its identity to another station. IEEE 802.11
specifies two forms of authentication: open and shared key.
bandwidth
Specifies the amount of the frequency spectrum that is usable for data transfer. In
other words, it identifies the maximum data rate that a signal can attain on the
medium without encountering significant attenuation.
baseband
A signal that has not undergone any shift in frequency. Normally with LANs, a
baseband signal is purely digital.
Basic Service Set (BSS)
A set of 802.11-compliant stations that operates as a fully connected, wireless
network.
BSSID
A 6-byte address that distinguishes a particular AP from others. Also known as a
network ID or the MAC address of the AP.