Chapter 5. Glossary
IEEE 802.11 Standard
The IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN standards subcommittee, which is formulating a standard for the
industry.
Access Point
An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks together.
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.
BSSID
A specific Ad Hoc LAN is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). Computers in a BSS must be configured
with the same BSSID.
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.
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 BSS 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
PCMCIA
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. Also a PCMCIA card is also referred to
CardBus Adapter.
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.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
Simple Network Management Protocol is the network management protocol of TCP/IP. In SNMP,
agents-which can be hardware as well as software-monitor the activity in the various devices on the
network and report to the network console workstation. Control information about each device is
maintained in a structure known as a management information block.
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