Glossary-1
GLOSSARY
10BASE-T
IEEE 802.3 specification for 10 Mbps Ethernet over two pairs of Category 3 or better UTP cable.
100BASE-TX
IEEE 802.3u specification for 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet over two pairs of Category 5 or better UTP
cable.
Access Point
An internetworking device that seamlessly conn ects wired and wireless networks. Access points
attached to a wired network, support the creation of multiple radio cells that enabl e r oam i n g
throughout a facility.
Ad Hoc
A group of computers connected as an independent wireless network, w itho ut an ac cess point.
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
An encryption algorithm that implements symmetric key cryptography. AES provides very strong
encryption using a completely different ciphering algorithm to TKIP and WEP.
Authentication
The process to verify the id enti ty of a cli ent requ esti ng n etw ork a ccess . IEEE 8 02. 11 specifies two
forms of authentication: open system and shared key.
Backbone
The core infrastructure of a network. The portion of the network that transports infor m at ion f ro m
one central location to another central location where it is unloaded onto a lo cal sy stem.
Basic Service Set (BSS)
A set of 802.11-compliant stations and an access point that operate as a fully-co nnected wireless
network.
Beacon
A signal periodically transmitted from the access point that is used to identify the s ervice set, and
to maintain contact with wireless clients.