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Glossary of Terms
Term
Definition
Adaptive
Configuration
Technology
A Nomadix, Inc. patented technology that enables Dynamic Address Translation. See
also, DAT.
ad-hoc mode
An 802.11x networking framework in which devices or stations communicate directly
with each other, without the use of an Access Point (AP). Ad-hoc mode is also referred
to as peer-to-peer mode, or an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). Ad-hoc mode is
useful for establishing a network where wireless infrastructure does not exist or where
services are not required.
ADSL
(Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line) A method for moving data at high speed over
regular phone lines.
AP
(Access Point) A hardware device or a computer's software that acts as a
communication hub for users of a wireless device to connect to a wired LAN. APs are
important for providing heightened wireless security and for extending the physical
range of service a wireless user has access to.
ARP
(Address Resolution Protocol) Used to dynamically bind a high level IP address to a low
level physical hardware address. ARP is limited to a single physical network that
supports hardware broadcasting.
ATM
(Asynchronous Transfer Mode) A network technology based on transferring data in
“cells” or packets of a fixed size (53 bytes each). The cell used with ATM is relatively
small compared to units used with older technologies. The small, constant cell size
allows ATM equipment to transmit video, audio, and computer data over the same
network, and assures that no single type of data monopolizes the line. ATM can offer
multi-gigabit bandwidth. See also, Bandwidth and Packet.
Bandwidth
The maximum speed at which data can be transmitted between computers across a
network, usually measured in bits per second (bps). If you think of the communication
path as a water pipe, the bandwidth represents the width of the pipe which
consequently determines how many gallons of water can flow through it at any given
time. See also, Broadband.
Beacon Interval
The frequency interval of the beacon, which is a packet broadcast by a router to
synchronize a wireless network.
Broadband
A high speed data transmission medium capable of supporting a wide range of varying
frequencies. Broadband can carry multiple signals at fast rates of speed by dividing the
total capacity of the medium into multiple, independent bandwidth channels, where
each channel operates only on a specific range of frequencies. See also, Bandwidth.
BSS
(Basic Service Set) See infrastructure mode.
Carrier frequency
A frequency in a communications channel modulated to carry analog or digital signal
information. For example, an FM radio transmitter modulates the frequency of a carrier
signal and the receiver processes the carrier signal to extract the analog information. An
AM radio transmitter modulates the amplitude of a carrier signal.
CoS
(Class of Service) A category based on the type of user, type of application, or some
other criteria that QoS systems can use to provide differentiated classes of service. The
characteristics of the CoS may be appropriate for high throughput traffic, for traffic with
a requirement for low latency, or simply for best effort. The QoS experienced by a
particular flow of traffic will be dependent on the number and type of other traffic flows
admitted to its class. See also, QoS.
Summary of Contents for AG 2300
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