Glossary
100BASE-TX IEEE 802.3u specification for 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet over two
pairs of Category 5 or better UTP cable.
10BASE-T IEEE 802.3 specification for 10 Mbps Ethernet over two pairs
of Category 3 or better UTP cable
AES Advanced Encryption Standard: An encryption algorithm that
implements symmetric key cryptography. AES provides very
strong encryption using a completely different ciphering
algorithm to TKIP and WEP.
AP Access Point: The device that acts as a communication hub,
connecting wireless clients to the network.
Authentication The process to verify the identity of a client requesting network
access. IEEE 802.11 specifies two forms of authentication:
open system and shared key.
Beacon A signal periodically transmitted from the access point that is
used to identify the service set, and to maintain contact with
wireless clients.
Broadcast Key Broadcast keys are sent to stations using 802.1X dynamic
keying. Dynamic broadcast key rotation is often used to allow
the access point to generate a random group key and
periodically update all key-management capable wireless
clients.
BSS Basic Service Set: A set of 802.11-compliant stations and an
access point that operate as a fully-connected wireless
network.
CPE Customer Premise Equipment: Communications equipment
that resides on the customer's premises.
CSMA/CA Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance