6. Glossary
IEEE 802.11 Standard
The IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN standards subcommittee, which is formulating a standard for the industry.
Access point
An Internet working device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks together.
Ad hoc
An ad hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with a WLAN adapter, connected as an independent wireless LAN. Ad hoc wireless LAN is applicable at a departmental scale for a branch or SOHO operation.
BSSID
A specific ad hoc LAN is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). Computers in a BSS must be configured with the same BSSID.
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol - a method in which IP addresses are assigned by a server dynamically to clients on the network. DHCP is used for dynamic IP addressing and requires a dedicated DHCP server on the network.
DSSS
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum. This is the method the wireless adapters use to transmit data over the frequency spectrum. An alternative method is frequency hopping. Direct sequence spreads the data over one frequency range (channel) while frequency hopping jumps from one narrow frequency band to another many times per second.
ESSID
An infrastructure configuration could also support roaming capability for mobile workers. More than one BSS can be configured as an extended service set (ESS). Users within an ESS can roam freely between BSSs while served as a continuous connection to the network wireless stations and access points within an ESS must be configured with the same ESSID and the same radio channel.
Ethernet
Ethernet is a 10/100Mbps network that runs over dedicated home/office wiring. Users must be wired to the network at all times to gain access.
Gateway
A gateway is a hardware and software device that connects two dissimilar systems, such as a LAN and a mainframe. In Internet terminology, a gateway is another name for a router. Generally a gateway is used as a funnel for all traffic to the Internet.