Glossary 19
Glossary
Glossary
Meaning
Abbreviation
Function
Access Point
AP
Base station, interface for wireless communication, end devices log in via WLAN to the
Access Point that is connected by a cable to the network, similar to bridges or switches,
based on Layer 2
Adapter
Connects a wired communication device to an AP via WLAN.
Advanced Encryption Standard
AES
Readily available encryption algorithm with 128-, 192-, or 256-bit key lengths and 128-bit block
sizes
Basic Service Set
BSS
Created by synchronizing the relevant parameters on several devices
Basic Service Set Identifier
BSSID
The BSSID is either the MAC address of the AP or generated randomly and is a unique identi-
fier for each BSS.
Cipher
Operating mode in which the text can be encrypted that is longer than the block size are (e.g. AES)
Client
Connects a wired communication device per WLAN with a AP, also as Repeater and WLAN
adapter refers to
DNS Server
A computer (server) that performs name resolution
Domain Name System
DNS
Performs name resolution, i.e. it converts a host name to the corresponding IP address.
Extended Service Set
ESS
A set of several WLAN wireless cells connected to form one large cell
Extended Service Set Identifier
ESSID
The connection of several APs to a network requires the use of the same SSID, which in this
case is referred to as the ESSID.
High Throughput
HT mode
In the HT-40 mode, higher bandwidths, and therefore higher data rates, are possible. The
range is reduced, and speed advantages are only realistic to a certain extent (IEEE 802.11 n
devices are required and an optimal connection is assumed)
Independent Basic Service Set
IBSS
An IBSS is a closed network without any connection to other networks.
IPv4 address
Fourth version of the Internet Protocol, 32-bit address with four blocks (each expressed as
decimal numbers) and 8 bits per block, a range of values from 0 - 255 and separated by a dot
(xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx)
IPv4 gateway
Connects networks using different protocols, specifies the path to the Internet.
IPv4 netmask
Separates the network and address portion of the IP address, computers are in the same
network when the address portions are the same (the bits in the netmask that are equal to "1").
Channel
The frequency range available in the 2.4 GHz range is separated into 14 channels to improve
utilization. The first 13 channels are available in Europe.
Copper cable
Cu
Network cable
Local Area Network
LAN
A local network with a max. distance limit of 500 meters, used primarily in homes and small
companies.
Mode
See pages 3-5
Polymer Optical Fiber
POF
An optical fiber made of plastic polymer.
Port
A part of a network address used to associate data packets with clients and servers. In UDP,
the port number of the service that will receive the data is also sent.
Protocol
Negotiated by the software to transmit the data.
Repeater
A signal amplifier used to increase the range.
Key Hostname
Password
Roaming
Name of the AP
Access protection
The ability to take the WLAN connection from one AP to the next.
Transmission power
Power output of the AP, usually specified in dBm.
Service Set Identifier
SSID
User-defined name of a WLAN, can be up to 32 characters long, set on the AP and on all
connected clients.
Temporal Key Integrity Protocol
TKIP
A security protocol for WLANs or other wireless networks based on the IEEE 802.11 standard.
User Datagram Protocol
UDP
A simple, connectionless network protocol used to transmit data. Ports are used to enable the
data to be associated with the right applications.
Encryption
Used for security reasons in data transmissions.
Wi-Fi Protected Access
WPA
A WLAN encryption algorithm
WPA2
Successor to WPA and based on AES according to the WLAN standards IEEE 802.11 a,b,g,n
Wired Equivalent Privacy
WEP
A WLAN encryption algorithm
