Buffalo Technology WLA2-G54 user manual Glossary

Glossary

10BaseT or 100BaseTx: 802.3 based Ethernet network that uses UTP (Unshielded twisted pair) cable and a star topology. 10 is 10 Mbps and 100 is 100 Mbps.

802.1x: The standard for wireless LAN authentication used between an AP and a client. 802.1x with EAP will initiate key handling.

Ad-Hoc Network:The wireless network based on a peer-to-peer communications session. Also referred to as AdHoc.

Bandwidth: The transmission capacity of a computer or a com- munication channel, stated in Megabits per second (Mbps).

BSS (Basic Service Set): An 802.11 networking framework that includes an .

Bus Mastering: A system in which the specified Input/Output device (e.g. NIC Card) can perform tasks without the interven- tion of the CPU.

Client:A PC or workstation on a network.

Default Gateway: The IP Address of either the nearest bridge or server for the LAN.

Default Parameter: Parameter set by the manufacturer.

Destination Address:The address portion of a packet that identi- fies the intended recipient station.

DNS (Domain Name System): System used to map readable machine names into IP addresses

Driver: Software that interfaces a computer with a specific hardware device.

DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum): Method of spreading a wireless signal into wide frequency bandwidth.

DTE (Data Terminal Equipment): Device that controls data flowing to and from a computer.

Dynamic IP Address: An IP address that is automatically as- signed to a client station in a TCP/IP network, typically by a DHCP server.

ESS (Extended Service Set): A set of two or more BSSs that form a single sub-network. ESS-ID is user identification used in the ESS LAN configuration.

Ethernet: The most widely used architecture for Local Area Networks (LANs). It is a shared-media network architecture. The IEEE 802.3 standard details its functionality.

Ethernet cable: A wire similar to telephone cable that carries signals between Ethernet devices.

File and Print Sharing:A Microsoft application that allows com- puters on a network to share files and printers.

Firmware: Programming inserted into programmable read- only memory, thus becoming a permanent part of a computing device.

Full-Duplex: To transmit on the same channel in both directions simultaneously.

Half-duplex:To transmit on the same channel in both directions, one direction at a time.

Hub: A device which allows connection of computers and other devices to form a LAN.

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers): The professional organization which promotes development of electronics technology.

IP (Internet Protocol) Address: A unique 32-binary-digit number that identifies each sender or receiver of information sent in packets.

Infrastructure: A wireless network or other small network in which the wireless network devices are made a part of the net- work through the .

ISP (Internet Service Provider): A company that provides access to the Internet and other related services.

IV (Initialization Vector): The header section of a message packet.

LAN (LocalArea Network): A group of computers and peripheral devices connected to share resources.

LED (Light Emitting Diode): The lights on a hardware device representing the activity through the ports.

MAC (Medium Access Control) Address: A unique number that distinguishes network cards.

Mbps (Mega Bits Per Second): A measurement of millions of bits per second.

MHz (MegaHertz): One million cycles per second.

NAT (Network Address Translation): An internet standard that enables a LAN to use one set of IP addresses for internal traffic and a second set for external traffic.

NIC (Network Interface Card): An expansion card connected to a computer so the computer can be connected to a network.

Packet: A block of data that is transferred as a single unit, also called a frame or a block.

Packet Filtering: Discarding unwanted network traffic based on its originating address or its type.

Ping (Packet Internet Groper): An Internet utility used to deter- mine whether a particular IP address is online.

Plug and Play: Hardware that, once installed (“plugged in”), can immediately be used (“played”), as opposed to hardware that requires manual configuration.

PoE (Power over Ethernet): A mechanism to send DC power to a device using a CAT5 Ethernet cable.

Protocol: A standard way of exchanging information between computers.

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial In User Service): A server that issues authentication key to clients.

Repeater Hub: A device that collects, strengthens and transmits information to all connected devices, allowing the network to be extended to accommodate additional workstations.

RC4: The encryption algorithm that is used in WEP.

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