148
any wireless access point. If you are not familiar with wireless
networks please take a few minutes to learn the basics.
4.5.2.1 Basic terms
Before introducing the terms, let us see a typical wireless
network topology.
Figure 130 Typical wireless network topology
In the graphic, few terms should be understood.
AP
: short for
a
ccess 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.
STA
: any device that contains an IEEE 802.11 conformant
medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY)
interface to the wireless medium (WM).
SSID
: wireless networks use a service set identifier (SSID)
to allow wireless devices to roam within the range of the
network. Wireless devices that wish to communicate with
