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Appendix E: Glossary
Dual-Band Wireless A + G Access Point
DSSS
(
D
irect-
S
equence
S
pread-
S
pectrum) - Frequency transmission with a redundant bit pattern resulting in a
lower probability of information being lost in transit.
DTIM
(
D
elivery
T
raffic
I
ndication
M
essage) - A message included in data packets that can increase wireless
efficiency.
Encryption
- Encoding data transmitted in a network.
Ethernet
- IEEE standard network protocol that specifies how data is placed on and retrieved from a common
transmission medium.
Firmware
- The programming code that runs a networking device.
Fragmentation
-Breaking a packet into smaller units when transmitting over a network medium that cannot
support the original size of the packet.
Gateway
- A device that interconnects networks with different, incompatible communications protocols.
Hardware
- The physical aspect of computers, telecommunications, and other information technology devices.
IEEE
(The
I
nstitute of
E
lectrical and
E
lectronics
E
ngineers) - An independent institute that develops networking
standards.
Infrastructure
- A wireless network that is bridged to a wired network via an access point.
IP
(
I
nternet
P
rotocol) - A protocol used to send data over a network.
IP Address
- The address used to identify a computer or device on a network.
ISM band
- Radio bandwidth utilized in wireless transmissions.
ISP
(
I
nternet
S
ervice
P
rovider) - A company that provides access to the Internet.
LAN
- The computers and networking products that make up your local network.
MAC
(
M
edia
A
ccess
C
ontrol)
Address
- The unique address that a manufacturer assigns to each networking
device.
Network
- A series of computers or devices connected for the purpose of data sharing, storage, and/or
transmission between users.
Node
- A network junction or connection point, typically a computer or work station.