SSID

The Service Set Identifier (SSID) is a thirty-two character alphanumeric key that uniquely identifies a wireless local area network. It is also referred to as the Network Name. There are no restrictions on the characters that may be used in an SSID.

Static IP Address

See IP Address.

STP

The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) an IEEE 802.1x standard protocol for MAC bridges that manages path redundancy and prevents undesirable loops in the network created by multiple active paths between client stations. Loops occur when there multiple routes between access points. STP creates a tree that spans all of the switches in an extended network, forcing redundant paths into a standby, or blocked, state. STP allows only one active path at a time between any two network devices (this prevents the loops) but establishes the redundant links as a backup if the initial link should fail. If STP costs change, or if one network segment in the STP becomes unreachable, the spanning tree algorithm reconfigures the spanning tree topology and reestablishes the link by activating the standby path. Without spanning tree in place, it is possible that both connections may be simultaneously live, which could result in an endless loop of traffic on the LAN

Subnet Mask

A Subnet Mask is a number that defines which part of an IP address is the network address and which part is a host address on the network. It is shown in dotted-decimal notation (for example, a 24-bit mask is shown as 255.255.255.0) or as a number appended to the IP address (for example, 192.168.2.0/24).

The subnet mask lets a router quickly determine if an IP address is local or needs to be forwarded by performing a bitwise AND operation on the mask and the IP address. For example, if an IP address is 192.168.2.128 and the net mask is 255.255.255.0, the resulting Network address is 192.168.2.0.

The bitwise AND operator compares two bits and assigns 1 to the result only if both bits are 1. The following table shows the details of the net mask:

Supported Rate Set

The supported rate set defines the transmission rates that are available on this wireless network. A station may be able to receive data at any of the rates listed in this set. All stations must be able to receive data at the rates listed in the Basic Rate Set.

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