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Glossary
Gigaset USB Stick 54 / englisch / A31008-M1024-R701-2-7619 / glossary.fm / 03.05.2007
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Network
A network is a group of devices connected in wired or wireless mode so that they can
share resources such as data and peripherals. A general distinction is made between
local networks (LAN) and wide-area networks (WAN).
Network adapter
The network adapter is the hardware device that implements the connection of a net-
work component to a local network. The connection can be wired or wireless. An Eth-
ernet network card is an example of a wired network adapter. Wireless network adapters
include, for example, the Gigaset USB Stick 54, the Gigaset USB Adapter 54, the Gigaset
PC Card 54 and the Gigaset PCI Card 54.
A network adapter has a unique address, the MAC address.
Protocol
A protocol describes the agreements for communicating on a network. It contains rules
for opening, administering and closing a connection, about data formats, time frames
and error handling. Communications between two applications require different proto-
cols at various levels, for example the TCP/IP protocols for the Internet.
RC4
RC4 is an encryption algorithm on which WEP and TKIP encryption is based. Particular
features of this algorithm are a secret key and variable key length.
Roaming
In order to extend the range of a wireless local network, roaming involves several access
points with the same SSID and radio channel that are connected via Ethernet. The PCs
on the network can switch dynamically between the various access points without
interrupting an open network connection.
Router
A router directs data packets from one local network (LAN) to another via the fastest
route. A router makes it possible to connect networks that have different network tech-
nologies. For example, it connects a WLAN to the Internet.
See also Bridge, Gateway, Hub, Switch
SSID
Service Set Identifier
The SSID is used to identify the stations of a wireless network (WLAN). All wireless net-
work components with the same SSID form a common network. The SSID can be
assigned by the network operator.
Static IP address
A static IP address is assigned to a network component manually during network con-
figuration. Unlike a dynamic address, a static IP address never changes.
See also dynamic IP address
