Glossary

Glossary

Access Point

An Access Point, such as the Gigaset SE551 WLAN dsl/cable, is the centre of a wireless local network (WLAN). It handles the connection of the wireless linked network components and regulates the data traffic in the wireless network. The Access Point also serves as an interface to other networks, e.g. an existing Ethernet LAN or via a modem to the Internet. The operating mode of wireless networks with an Access Point is called Infrastructure mode.

Ad-hoc mode

Ad-hoc mode describes wireless local networks (WLANs) in which the network components set up a spontaneous network without an Access Point e.g. several Notebooks in a conference. All the network components are peers. They must have a wireless Network adapter.

Auto Connect

Auto Connect means that applications such as Web browser, Messenger and Email automatically open an Internet connection when they are launched. This can lead to high charges if you are not using Flat rate. This function can be deactivated at the Gigaset SE551 WLAN dsl/cable to save call charges.

Bridge

A bridge connects several network segments to form a joint network, e.g. to make a TCP/ IP network. The segments can have different physical characteristics, e.g. different connections such as Ethernet and wireless LANs. Linking individual segments via bridges allows local networks of practically unlimited size.

See also: Switch, Hub, Router, GatewayBroadcast

A broadcast is a data packet not directed to a particular recipient but to all the network components on the network. The Gigaset SE551 WLAN dsl/cable does not pass broadcast packets on; they always remain within the local network (LAN) it administers.

BSSIDBasic Service Set ID

BSSID permits unique differentiation of one wireless network (WLAN) from another. In Infrastructure mode the BSSID is the MAC address of the Access Point. In wireless networks in Ad-hoc mode the BSSID is the MAC address of any one of the participants.

Client

A Client is an application that requests a service from a Server. For example, an http Client on a PC in a local network requests data, i.e. Web pages from an HTTP Server on the Internet. Frequently the network component (e.g. the PC) on which the Client application is running is also called a Client.

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