Glossary

10BaseT

Ethernet standard topology for twisted pair (T) cabling (transfer rate of 10 Mbps over 100 meters).

100BaseT

Fast Ethernet twisted pair cabling (transfer rate of 100 Mbps over 100 meters).

ad-hoc network

Group of computers, each with a wireless LAN network adapter, connected as an independent wireless local area network for the duration of a single communications session. An ad-hoc wireless LAN is applicable at a departmental scale for a branch or SOHO (small office/home office) operation.

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)

A DSL modem technology geared to acceptable Internet performance in which downstream data transfer (downloading data from the Internet to the subscriber) is faster than upstream data transfer (uploading data from the subscriber).

ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)

Asynchronous transfer mode (broadband switching). ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) — a dedicated-connection switching technology that transmits digital data over a physical medium using digital signal technology. An individual cell is processed asynchronously relative to other related cells and is queued before being multiplexed over the transmission path.

broadband

Fast Internet access through DSL, cable modem, or other means.

BSS (Basic Service Set)

One wireless network.

BSSID (Basic Service Set Identification)

A unique name (or ID) used by all computers on the network. A specific ad-hoc LAN. Computers in a BSS must be configured with the same BSSID.

bus topology

Simple way of connecting computers in a network linearly along a single cable (each connected to the cable, not one to another).