EnGenius Technologies ENH500 user manual Appendix C Glossary, Access Point

Appendix C – Glossary

Access Point

A base station in a WLAN that act as a central transmitter and receiver of WLAN radio signals.

Ad Hoc Network

A short-term WLAN framework created between two or more WLAN adapters, without going through an Access Point. An ad hoc network lets computers send data directly to and from one another. For an ad hoc network to work, each computer on the network needs a WLAN card installed configured for Ad Hoc mode.

Antenna

A device that sends and receives radio-frequency (RF) signals. Often camouflaged on existing buildings, trees, water towers or other tall structures, the size and shape of antennas are generally determined by the frequency of the signal they manage.

Authentication

A process that verifies the identity of a wireless device or end-user. A common form of authentication is to verify identities by checking a user name and password to allow network access.

Backbone

A high-speed line or series of connections that form a major pathway within a network.

Bandwidth

The part of the frequency spectrum required to transmit desired information. Each radio channel has a center frequency and additional frequencies above and below this carrier frequency that carry the transmitted information. The range of frequencies from the lowest to the highest used is called the bandwidth.

Bridge

A wireless device that connects multiple networks that are physically separate or use different media, but which use similar standards.

Bridge Mode

An Access Pointy in bridge mode can operate as a WLAN bridge that connects two wired network segments. The peer device also must be in bridge mode. This wireless bridge connection is equivalent to a Wireless Distribution System (WDS).

CHAP

Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol. An alternative protocol that uses a challenge/response technique instead of sending passwords over the wire.

Collision

Interference resulting from two network devices sending data at the same time. The network detects the collision of the two transmitted packets and discards both of them.

Coverage

The region within which a paging receiver can reliably receive the transmission of paging signals.