APPENDIX A. GLOSSARY
802.11a
- An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer
rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 5GHz.
Adapter
- This is a device that adds network functionality to your PC.
Ad-hoc
- A group of wireless devices communicating directly with each other (peer-to-peer)
without the use of an access point.
Backbone
- The part of a network that connects most of the systems and networks together,
and handles the most data.
Bandwidth
- The transmission capacity of a given device or network.
Beacon Interval
- Data transmitted on your wireless network that keeps the network
synchronized.
Bit
- A binary digit.
Browser
- An application program that provides a way to look at and interact with all the
information on the World Wide Web.
CSMA/CA
(
C
arrier
S
ense
M
ultiple
A
ccess/
C
ollision
A
voidance) - A method of data transfer
that is used to prevent data collisions.
CTS
(
C
lear
T
o
S
end) - A signal sent by a wireless device, signifying that it is ready to receive
data.
Database
- A collection of data that is organized so that its contents can easily be accessed,
managed, and updated.
DHCP
(
D
ynamic
H
ost
C
onfiguration
P
rotocol) - A networking protocol that allows
administrators to assign temporary IP addresses to network computers by "leasing" an IP
address to a user for a limited amount of time, instead of assigning permanent IP addresses.
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