NETGEAR WG302 manual Radius

Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe Wireless Access Point 802.11g WG302

NetBIOS

Network Basic Input Output System. An application programming interface (API) for sharing services and information on local-area networks (LANs). Provides for communication between stations of a network where each station is given a name. These names are alphanumeric names, 16 characters in length.

netmask

Combined with the IP address, the IP Subnet Mask allows a device to know which other addresses are local to it, and which must be reached through a gateway or router.

A number that explains which part of an IP address comprises the network address and which part is the host address on that network. It can be expressed in dotted-decimal notation or as a number appended to the IP address. For example, a 28-bit mask starting from the MSB can be shown as 255.255.255.192 or as /28 appended to the IP address.

Network Address Translation

A technique by which several hosts share a single IP address for access to the Internet.

packet

A block of information sent over a network. A packet typically contains a source and destination network address, some protocol and length information, a block of data, and a checksum.

Point-to-Point Protocol

PPP. A protocol allowing a computer using TCP/IP to connect directly to the Internet.

RADIUS

Short for Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service, RADIUS is an authentication system.

Using RADIUS, you must enter your user name and password before gaining access to a network. This information is passed to a RADIUS server, which checks that the information is correct, and then authorizes access. Though not an official standard, the RADIUS specification is maintained by a working group of the IETF.

RIP

A protocol in which routers periodically exchange information with one another so that they can determine minimum distance paths between sources and destinations.

router

A device that forwards data between networks. An IP router forwards data based on IP source and destination addresses.

SSID

A Service Set Identification is a thirty-two character (maximum) alphanumeric key identifying a wireless local area network. For the wireless devices in a network to communicate with each other, all devices must be configured with the same SSID.

Glossary 5

September 2004