Appendix B: Glossary

Access Point- An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks together.

Ad-Hoc-An Ad-Hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers each with wireless adapters, connected as an independent wireless LAN.

Backbone- The part of a network that connects most of the systems and networks together and handles the most data. The core infrastructure of a network, the portion of the network that transports information from one central location to another central location. The information in then off-loaded onto a local system.

Bit- A binary digit. The value - 0 or 1 used in the binary numbering system. Also, the smallest form of data.

BSS- Stands for Basic Service Set. An Access Point associated with several stations.

Domain- A subnetwork comprised of a group of clients and servers under the control of one security database. Dividing LANs into domains improves perfor -mance and security.

DSSS- Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum is very widely known and the most used of the spread spectrum types, owing most of its popularity to its ease of implementation and high data rates.

Encryption- A security method that applies a specific algorithm to data in order to alter the data’s appearance and prevent other devices from reading the information

ESS- Stands for Extended Service Set. More than one BSS can be configured as an Extended Service Set. An ESS basically a roaming domain.

Ethernet- A popular local area data communications network, originally developed by Xerox Corp., which accepts transmission from computers and terminals. Ethernet operates on 10 Mbps baseband transmission over shielded coaxial cable or over shielded twisted pair telephone wire.

Firmware- Code that is written onto read-only memory (ROM) or programmable read-only memory (PROM). Once firmware has been written onto the ROM or PROM, it is retained even when the device is turned off.

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