Glossary
GL-3
Cisco Aironet 1300 Series Outdoor Access Point/Bridge Hardware Installation Guide
OL-5048-02
E
EAP
Extensible Authentication Protocol. An optional IEEE 802.1x security feature ideal for
organizations with a large user base and access to an EAP-enabled Remote Authentication Dial-In
User Service (RADIUS) server.
Ethernet
The most widely used wired local area network. Ethernet uses carrier sense multiple access
(CSMA) to allow computers to share a network and operates at 10, 100, or 1000 Mbps, depending
on the physical layer used.
F
file server
A repository for files so that a local area network can share files, mail, and programs.
firmware
Software that is programmed on a memory chip.
G
gateway
A device that connects two otherwise incompatible networks together.
GHz
Gigahertz. One billion cycles per second. A unit of measure for frequency.
I
IEEE
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. A professional society serving electrical engineers
through its publications, conferences, and standards development activities. The body responsible
for the Ethernet 802.3 and wireless LAN 802.11 specifications.
infrastructure
The wired Ethernet network.
IP Address
The Internet Protocol (IP) address of a station.
IP subnet mask
The number used to identify the IP subnetwork, indicating whether the IP address can be
recognized on the LAN or if it must be reached through a gateway. This number is expressed in a
form similar to an IP address; for example: 255.255.255.0.
isotropic
An antenna that radiates its signal in a spherical pattern.
M
MAC
Media Access Control address. A unique 48-bit number used in Ethernet data packets to identify
an Ethernet device, such as an access point or your client adapter.
modulation
Any of several techniques for combining user information with a transmitter’s carrier signal.
