Glossary
GL-2
Cisco Aironet 1300 Series Outdoor Access Point/Bridge Hardware Installation Guide
OL-5048-02
broadcast packet
A single data message (packet) sent to all addresses on the same subnet.
bridge
A wireless LAN transceiver that is used to connect two or more wired Ethernet networks.
C
CCK
Complementary code keying. A modulation technique used by IEEE 802.11b-compliant wireless
LANs for transmission at 5.5 and 11 Mbps.
cell
The area of radio range or coverage in which the
wireless devices can communicate with the base
station. The size of the cell depends upon the speed of the transmission, the type of antenna used,
and the physical environment, as well as other factors.
client
A radio device that uses the services of an Access Point to communicate wirelessly with other
devices on a local area network.
CSMA
Carrier sense multiple access. A wireless LAN media access method specified by the IEEE 802.11
specification.
D
data rates
The range of data transmission rates supported by a device. Data rates are measured in megabits
per second (Mbps).
dBi
A ratio of decibels to an isotropic antenna that is commonly used to measure antenna gain. The
greater the dBi value, the higher the gain, and the more acute the angle of coverage.
dBm
An absolute power level described in decibels referenced to 1 mW. 0 dBm is equivalent to
1 mW.
DHCP
Dynamic host configuration protocol. A protocol available with many operating systems that
automatically issues IP addresses within a specified range to devices on the network. The device
retains the assigned address for a specific administrator-defined period.
dipole
A type of low-gain (2.2-dBi) antenna consisting of two (often internal) elements.
domain name
The text name that refers to a grouping of networks or network resources based on
organization-type or geography; for example: name.com—commercial; name.edu—educational;
name.gov—government; ISPname.net—network provider (such as an ISP); name.ar—Argentina;
name.au—Australia; and so on.
DNS
Domain Name System server. A server that translates text names into IP addresses. The server
maintains a database of host alphanumeric names and their corresponding IP addresses.
DSSS
Direct sequence spread spectrum. A type of spread spectrum radio transmission that spreads its
signal continuously over a wide frequency band.
