PLANET WNL-9501 - Manual (Page 38)

802.11n Wireless PCI Express Adapte r
WNL‐9501
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Appendix: Glossary
1. IEEE 802.11 Standard
The IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN standards subcommittee formulates a standard for the industry.
2. Access Point
An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks together.
3. Ad Hoc
An Ad Hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with a WLAN adapter, connected as an
independent wireless LAN
Ad Hoc wireless LAN is applicable on a departmental scale for a branch or SOHO operation.
4. BSSID
A specific Ad Hoc LAN is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). Computers in a BSS must be configured
with the same BSSID.
5. DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol -- a method in which IP addresses are assigned by server
dynamically to clients on the network. DHCP is used for Dynamic IP Addressing and requires a
dedicated DHCP server on the network.
6. Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
This is the method the wireless cards use to transmit data over the frequency spectrum. The other
method is frequency hopping. Direct sequence spreads the data over one frequency range (channel)
while frequency hopping jumps from one narrow frequency band to another many times per second.
7. ESSID
An Infrastructure configuration could also support roaming capability for mobile workers. More than
one BSS can be configured as an Extended Service Set (ESS). Users within an ESS could roam
freely between BSSs while served as a continuous connection to the network wireless stations and
Access Points within an ESS must be configured with the same ESSID and the same radio channel.
8. Ethernet
Ethernet is a 10/100Mbps network that runs over dedicated home/office wiring. Users must be wired
to the network at all times to gain access.
9. Gateway
A gateway is a hardware and software device that connects two dissimilar systems, such as a LAN
and a mainframe. In Internet terminology, a gateway is another name for a router. Generally a
gateway is used as a funnel for all traffic to the Internet.