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Appendix C Glossary
Access Point
An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks
together.
Ad-Hoc
An Ad-Hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers each with wireless adapters,
connected as an independent wireless LAN.
Backbone
The core infrastructure of a network.
The portion of the network that transports
information from one central location to another central location where it is unloaded onto a local
system.
Base Station
In mobile telecommunication, a base station is the central radio transmitter/
receiver that maintains communication with the mobile radio telephone sets within its range.
In cellular and personal communications applications, each cell or microcell has its own base
station; each base station in turn is interconnected with other cells’ base stations.
BSS
Stands for “Basic Service Set.” An Access Point associated with several wireless
stations.
ESS
Stands for “Extended Service Set.” More than one BSS can be configured to be an
Extended Service Set. An ESS is basically a roaming domain.
Ethernet A popular local area data communications
network, originally developed by Xerox
Corp., that accepts transmission from computers and terminals. Ethernet operates on 10 Mbps
baseband, transmitting over shielded coaxial cable or over shielded twisted pair telephone wire.
Infrastructure
An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure configuration.
PCMCIA
PCMCIA stands for Personal Computer Memory Card International Association,
which develops standards for PC cards, formerly known as PCMCIA cards. They are
available in three types that are about the same length and width as credit cards but range in
thickness from 3.3 mm (Type I) to 5.0 mm (Type II) to 10.5 mm (Type III). These cards
provide many functions, including memory storage, and acting as landline modems and as wireless
LAN.
Roaming
A function that
enables one to travel with his mobile end system (wireless LAN
mobile station, for example) throughout a domain (an ESS, for example) while being continuously
connected to the infrastructure.
RTS Threshold
Transmitters contending for the medium may not hear each other. RTS/CTS
mechanism can solve this “ Hidden Node Problem”. If the packet size is smaller than the preset
RTS Threshold size, the RTS/CTS mechanism will NOT be enabled.