Glossary

firewall

A firewall is a security device that helps prevent users outside your network from accessing your LAN or WLAN. A firewall uses special software that keeps unauthorized users out of your network.

hot-swap

To hot-swap is to remove or attach a device without first shutting off your computer.

hub

A hub works with a computer like a power strip works with an electrical outlet—it multiplies the number of ports you have so that you can have more devices plugged in at the same time.

Infrastructure mode

See operating mode.

LAN

Stands for Local Area Network. LANs are wired networks.

LED

Stands for Light-Emitting Diode.

MAC address

A Media Access Control (MAC) address is a 12-character string that uniquely identifies each network device on your network (for instance, your Wireless USB Adapter or Wireless AP). A MAC address is built into each device. Each network device is labelled with its MAC address.

network

A network is two or more computers connected so that they can share information, equipment, and programs.

network device

A network device is any device (such as an AP or a computer with a NIC) that connects to the network. See also transfer rate.

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