16
Glossary
802.11b: A family of IEEE-defined specifications for wireless networks. The 802.11b
standard supports data transfer rates up to 11 Mbits/sec in the 2.4 GHz band using DSSS
technology. Also known as WiFi.
Access Point: See wireless access point.
Ad Hoc: A wireless computer-to-computer LAN. An Ad Hoc network can consist of two
devices with wireless adapters, and does not require a WAP, router, or gateway. Also
known as peer-to-peer mode.
BSS (Basic Service Set): In Infrastructure mode, a BSS consists of a Wireless Access Point
and the adapters associated with it.
DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum): A transmission technology used as the basis
for 802.11b wireless transmissions. DSSS helps increase a signal’s resistance to
interference and allows for some data bit recovery.
Encryption: The transformation of data into encoded ciphertext to ensure data
transmission can not be accessed by users outside the network. Encryption uses an
encryption algorithm and encryption keys to encode and decode the information. See
also WEP.
Encryption Algorithm: A formula used to convert data from understandable “plaintext”
into encoded “ciphertext.” Each algorithm uses a key (a string of bits) to perform the
calculations. The larger the key (most are 64 or 128-bits in length), the more difficult to
break the code.
ESS (Extended Service Set): In Infrastructure mode, the ESS consists of two or more
BSSes in the same subnet.
IBSS (Independent Basic Service Set): In Ad Hoc mode, an IBSS consists of two or more
wireless devices that communicate directly and do not use a wireless access point.
Infrastructure: A network configuration that typically combines both wired and wireless
elements. Wireless devices communicate with a WAP in order to communicate with each
other and with the wired elements of the network.
IP Address (Internet Protocol Address): An assigned number used to identify a computer
on a network. An IP address consists of four numbers less than 255 separated by periods
(for example, 192.168.2.1).
LAN (Local Area Network): A group of computers and devices connected together in a
relatively small area (such as a house or an office).
MAC Address (Media Access Control Address): A unique serial number that identifies a
piece of hardware connected to a network.
Plug and Play: A set of specifications that allows a computer to automatically detect and
configure hardware devices. With Plug and Play computers, any new hardware device
that is connected to a computer will automatically be recognised without the user having
to tell the computer the device has been added.
Summary of Contents for PCI511WB
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