Packet, Passphrase, Ping, Port, PPPoE, Preamble

Glossary

Packet

A packet is a portion of data that is transmitted in network communications. Packets are also sometimes called frames and datagrams. Packets contain not only data, but also the destination IP address.

Passphrase

A Passphrase is used within the WPA-PSK mode to enable a client to initiate authentication with a router. If the passphrase is identical to the passphrase on the router, the router allows the client to access the network. The passphrase can be between 8 and 63 characters.

Ping

Ping (Packet Internet Groper) is a utility used to find out if a particular IP address is present online.

Port

Ports are the physical and/or logical communica- tions pathways in and out of computers and net- work devices (routers and switches). Most PCs have serial and parallel ports, which are external sockets for connecting devices such as printers, modems, and mice. All network adapters also use ports to connect to the LAN. Finally, applica- tions that communicate over the Internet also have ports; these are the endpoints of the appli- cation and are given a specific "port number."

PPPoE

PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol Over Ethernet) is a protocol used to communicate between two computers using a serial interface, such as dial- up Internet connections, over an Ethernet link.

Preamble

The Preamble Type refers to the radio preamble, or header, which is transmitted at the beginning of a packet of data. The preamble contains infor- mation required for the access point and adapters to transmit information. Since the Preamble is attached to each packet of data, a Short Preamble improves data throughput, but it may cause connection problems with early wire- less devices that only support long preambles. The Long Preamble option ensures compatibility with these early wireless devices.

Protocol

A protocol is a rule that governs the communica- tion of data.

Radius Server

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service) Server must be configured to properly authenticate client devices for access to the net- work. The IP address and port number are based on the configuration of the RADIUS server in your enterprise network. The shared secret is a pass- word that is used to identify the client in a RADIUS authenticated network. The shared secret can be from 22 to 128 characters long.

RIP

RIP (Routing Information Protocol) is a routing protocol that is integrated in the TCP/IP protocol. RIP finds a route that is based on the smallest number of hops between the source of a packet and its destination.

RTS

RTS (Request To Send) is a signal sent from the transmitting station to the receiving station requesting permission to transmit data.

Security Phrase

At least 1 and up to 4 unique Security Phrases must be set when WEP is "On." The encryption types for these Security Phrases may be either Hexadecimal (HEX) or American Standard Code for Information. Interchange (ASCII). ASCII Security Phrases are subject to the following character limitations: 64 Bit encryption: 5 charac- ters; 128 Bit encryption: 13 characters; 152 Bit encryption: 16 characters.

Server

Servers are typically powerful and fast computers that store programs and data. The programs and data are shared by client computers (worksta- tions) on the network.

Shared Key

Shared Key authentication requires the client to use the same WEP encryption key as that used by the wireless router. When the client attempts to connect to the network through the wireless router the router sends a challenge text message to the client to authenticate the client. The client returns the challenge text message encrypted using the WEP encryption key. The wireless router decrypts the message using it's WEP key and if the decrypted message is the same as the original challenge text message, then it is assumed that the client has the correct WEP key and the client is allowed to access the network.

AT&T Plug&Share™ 54 Mbps Wireless Router 6800G