Networking glossary
ad hoc mode | A setting for a wireless device that lets it communicate directly with other wireless |
| devices without an access point or router |
ad hoc network | A wireless network that does not use an access point |
AutoIP address | An IP address automatically assigned by a network device. If the device is set to use |
| DHCP, but no DHCP server is available, an AutoIP address may be assigned by the |
| device. |
BSS (Basic Service Set) | Basic Service Set describes the type of wireless network that you are using. The BSS |
| type can be one of the following: Infrastructure network or |
channel | A specific radio frequency used by two or more wireless devices to communicate with |
| each other. All devices on the network must use the same channel. |
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration | A language used by DHCP servers |
Protocol) |
|
DHCP IP address | An IP address automatically assigned by a DHCP server |
DHCP server | A computer or router that gives a unique IP address to each device on the network. |
| Unique addresses prevent conflicts. |
infrastructure mode | A setting for a wireless device that lets it communicate directly with other wireless |
| devices using an access point or router |
installation cable | Connects the printer to the computer temporarily during some methods of installation. |
internal wireless print server | A device that lets computers and printers talk to each other over a network without cables |
IP (Internet Protocol) address | The network address of a computer or printer. Each device on the network has its own |
| network address. The address may be assigned manually by you (Static IP address), |
| automatically by the DHCP server (DHCP IP address), or automatically by the device |
| (AutoIP address). |
ipconfig | A command that displays the IP address and other network information of a Windows |
| computer |
MAC (Media Access Control) address | A hardware address that uniquely identifies each device on a network. You can usually |
| find the MAC address printed on the device. |
MAC filtering | A method of limiting access to your wireless network by specifying which MAC addresses |
| may communicate on the network. This setting may be specified on wireless routers or |
| access points. |
network adapter/card | A device that lets computers or printers talk to each other over a network |
network hub | A device that connects multiple devices on a wired network |
network name | See “SSID (Service Set Identifier)” on page 185 |
ping | A test to see if your computer can communicate with another device |
printer nickname | The name you assign to your printer so that you and others can identify it on the network |
router | A device that shares a single Internet connection with multiple computers or other |
| devices. The basic router controls network traffic. |
security key | A password, such as a WEP key or a WPA pass phrase, used to make a network secure |
signal strength | Measure of how strongly a transmitted signal is being received |
SSID (Service Set Identifier) | The name of a wireless network. When you connect a printer to a wireless network, the |
| printer needs to use the same SSID as the network. Also referred to as network name |
| or BSS (Basic Service Set). |
Static IP address | An IP address assigned manually by you |
switch | A device similar to a network hub that can connect different networks together |
Networking glossary
