GLOSSARY
802.11b The IEEE specification for wireless Ethernet which allows speeds of up to 11 Mbps. The standard provides for 1, 2, 5.5 and 11 Mbps data rates. The rates will switch automatically depending on range and environment.
802.11g The IEEE specification for wireless Ethernet which allows speeds of up to 54 Mbps. The standard provides for 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 54 Mbps data rates. The rates will switch automatically depending on range and environment.
Access Point An Access Point is a device through which wireless clients connect to other wireless clients and which acts as a bridge between wireless clients and a wired network, such as Ethernet. Wireless clients can be moved anywhere within the coverage area of the access point and still connect with each other. If connected to an Ethernet network, the access point monitors Ethernet traffic and forwards appropriate Ethernet messages to the wireless network, while also monitoring wireless client radio traffic and forwarding wireless client messages to the Ethernet LAN.
Ad Hoc mode Ad Hoc mode is a configuration supported by most wireless clients. It is used to connect a peer to peer network together without the use of an access point. It offers lower performance than infrastructure mode, which is the mode the gateway uses. (see also Infrastructure mode.)
