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6193-3201
Router
A device that forwards data from one WLAN or wired local area
network to another.
SNR
Signal to Noise Ratio. The number of decibels difference between the
signal strength and background noise.
Transmit Power
The power usually expressed in mW or db that the wireless device
transmits at.
MAC Address
A MAC address, short for Media Access Control address, is a unique
code assigned to most forms of networking hardware. The address
is permanently assigned to the hardware, so limiting a wireless
network’s access to hardware -- such as wireless cards -- is a security
feature employed by closed wireless networks. But an experienced
hacker -- armed with the proper tools -- can still figure out an
authorized MAC address, masquerade as a legitimate address and
access a closed network.
Every wireless 802.11 device has its own specific MAC address hard-
coded into it. This unique identifier can be used to provide security
for wireless networks. When a network uses a MAC table, only the
802.11 radios that have had their MAC addresses added to that
network’s MAC table will be able to get onto the network.
NAT
Network Address Translation: A network capability that enables a
houseful of computers to dynamically share a single incoming IP
address from a dial-up, cable or xDSL connection. NAT takes the
single incoming IP address and creates new IP address for each client
computer on the network.
NIC
A type of PC adapter card that either works without wires (Wi-Fi)
or attaches to a network cable to provide two-way communication
between the computer and network devices such as a hub or switch.
Most office wired NICs operate at 10 Mbps (Ethernet), 100 Mbps
(Fast Ethernet) or 10/100 Mbps dual speed. High-speed Gigabit and
10 Gigabit NIC cards are also available. See PC Card.
Proxy server
Used in larger companies and organizations to improve network
operations and security, a proxy server is able to prevent direct
communication between two or more networks. The proxy server
forwards allowable data requests to remote servers and/or responds
to data requests directly from stored remote server data.
RJ-45
Standard connectors used in Ethernet networks. Even though
they look very similar to standard RJ-11 telephone connectors,
RJ-45 connectors can have up to eight wires, whereas telephone
connectors have only four.
