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SMCWUSB-N4 300 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter User Manual
Appendix B -
Glossary
Access point
The central element in a wireless network. The access point handles
connection of the wireless-linked network components and regulates
data traffic in the wireless network.
Ad-Hoc
A peer-to-peer type of network where network components set up a
network spontaneously, without an access point. Compare with
Infrastructure.
AES
Advanced Encryption Standard. A 128-, 192-, or 256-bit block cipher
considered the gold standard of encryption. AES takes more
computing power to run than TKIP, but is the most secure option you
can pick for connecting to wireless networks.
Authentication
A way to check the true identity of a computer based on a particular
property.
CRC
Cyclic Redundancy Check. A technique for detecting data transmission
errors.
Encryption
A way to protect confidential information against unauthorized access
by converting data into cyphertext so that it cannot be easily read. With
encryption, data packets can be sent securely over the wireless
network.
Gateway
A device that connects networks with completely different architectures
(addressing, protocols, application interfaces, and so on). Although it is
not totally correct, the term is also used as a synonym for router.
Hexadecimal
Characters zero through 9 and letters A through F.
Infrastructure
A type of network where a wireless client will connect to the wired
network via an access point. Network components cannot establish a
direct connection with each other, as with Ad-Hoc mode.
Internet
A system of worldwide networks that uses TCP/IP to allow for
resources to be accessed from computers around the world.
IP address
A 32-bit number, when talking about Internet Protocol Version 4, that
identifies each computer that transmits data on the Internet or on an
Intranet.
