360338-xx1 Onyx How Do I.book Page 42 Wednesday, June 23, 2004 1:34 PM

Term

Definition (Continued)

 

 

Internet Protocol (IP)

A number that identifies each sender or

Address

receiver of information (sent in packets)

 

across the Internet.

 

 

Media Access Control

A computer’s unique hardware number in a

(MAC) Address

network. For example, on an Ethernet LAN,

 

it’s the same as your Ethernet address.

 

When you are connected to the Internet a

 

correspondence table relates your IP address

 

to your computer’s MAC address on the

 

LAN.

 

 

Service Set Identifier

A sequence of characters that uniquely

(SSID)

identifies (i.e., names) a Wi-Fi network. This

 

identification number uses a maximum

 

number of 32 characters and is case

 

sensitive.

 

 

Virtual Private Network

A way of providing users (i.e., remote

 

offices, telecommuters, etc.) secure access to

 

their organization’s network by way of the

 

Internet.

 

 

Wired Equivalent

A security protocol designed to provide

Privacy (WEP)

Wi-Fi networks with the same level of

 

security usually expected on a LAN.

 

 

Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)

The term used for a high-frequency wireless

 

networking.

 

 

Wireless Local Area

A wireless network in which a mobile user

Network (WLAN)

can connect to a local area network through

 

a wireless connection.

 

 

Wireless Access Point

Physical hardware (device) or computer

 

software that acts as a hub for users of

 

wireless devices to connect to a local area

 

network.

 

 

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