Independent Basic Service Set Identifier (IBSSID):
Used to identify a wireless network
configured to allow each wireless client to communicate directly with each other without
an access point.
Independent Network:
A network that provides (usually temporarily) peer-to-peer
connectivity without relying on a complete network infrastructure.
Infrastructure Network:
A wireless network centered around an access point. In this
environment, the access point not only provides communication with the wired network
but also mediates wireless network traffic in the immediate neighborhood.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE):
An organization involved in
setting computing and communications standards.
ISM Bands:
A series of frequency bands, set aside by the FCC for Industrial, Scientific
and Medical applications. Users of these bands operate equipment on a shared basis,
meaning that they must expect, and accept interference from other legal users. Products
manufactured for ISM Band use must be approved by the FCC, but the user does not
have to be licensed. In addition to WLAN, ISM bands support cordless phones,
microwave ovens, baby monitors, toys, ham radio transceivers, and other wireless
services.
K
Kerberos:
An authentication system enabling protected communication over an open
network using a unique key called a ticket.
M
Media Access Control (MAC) Address:
A hardwired address applied at the factory. It
uniquely identifies network hardware, such as a wireless PC Card, on a LAN or WAN.
Microcell:
A bounded physical space in which a number of wireless devices can
communicate. Because it is possible to have overlapping cells as well as isolated cells,
the boundaries of the cell are established by some rule or convention.
Microwave:
Technically, the term describes any frequency above 1.0 GHz.
Unfortunately the advertising industry has contorted this meaning considerably. In our
discussion we will stick to the technical definition.
