SMC Networks SMCWHSG44-G Access Point, Ad Hoc, Advanced Encryption Standard AES, Authentication

Glossary

10BASE-T

IEEE 802.3 specification for 10 Mbps Ethernet over two pairs of Category 3 or better UTP cable.

100BASE-TX

IEEE 802.3u specification for 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet over two pairs of Category 5 or better UTP cable.

Access Point

A networking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks. Access points attached to a wired network, support the creation of multiple radio cells that enable roaming throughout a facility.

Ad Hoc

A group of computers connected as an independent wireless network, with- out an access point.

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)

An encryption algorithm that implements symmetric key cryptography. AES provides very strong encryption using a completely different ciphering algorithm to TKIP and WEP.

Authentication

The process to verify the identity of a client requesting network access. IEEE 802.11 specifies two forms of authentication: open system and shared key.

Backbone

The core infrastructure of a network. The portion of the network that trans- ports information from one central location to another central location where it is unloaded onto a local system.

Basic Service Set (BSS)

A set of 802.11-compliant stations and an access point that operate as a fully-connected wireless network.

Beacon

A signal periodically transmitted from the access point that is used to identi- fy the service set, and to maintain contact with wireless clients.

Broadcast Key

Broadcast keys are sent to stations using 802.1x dynamic keying. Dynamic broadcast key rotation is often used to allow the access point to generate a random group key and periodically update all key-management capable wire- less clients.

CSMA/CA

Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance.

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