Glossary – Sonnet Technologies Aria extreme CardBus and PCI Card Windows User Manual

Page 82

Advertising
background image

74

Glossary

802.11

802.11 refers to a family of specifications developed by the IEEE for wireless LAN
technology. 802.11 specifies an over-the-air interface between a wireless client and a
base station or between two wireless clients.

Access Point

An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks.
Access Points combined with a distributed system support the creation of multiple radio
cells that enable roaming throughout a facility.

Ad-Hoc

(Peer-to-Peer)

An 802.11 networking framework in which devices or stations communicate directly
with each other, without the use of an Access Point (AP). Ad-hoc mode is useful for
establishing a network where wireless infrastructure does not exist or where wired
network services are not required. Ad-hoc mode is also referred to as peer-to-peer mode
or an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS).

Bit

A bit (short for binary digit) is the smallest unit of data in a computer. A bit has a single
binary, either 0 or 1.

BSS

Basic Service Set. In a network where an AP is connected to wired network and is
associates with a set of wireless stations, it is referred to as a BSS.

ESS

Extended Service Set. An Extended Service Set (ESS) is a set of two or more BSSs that
form a single network. It’s basically a roaming wireless network.

Default Gateway

The address used to forward all traffic that is not addressed to a station within a local
subnet.

Advertising