Filter
Top Products
42
Terminology
The following is a list of terminology used in this document.
Access Point – An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless
networks.
Ad Hoc – An ad hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers each with LAN adapters,
connected as an independent wireless LAN.
BSS – BSS stands for “Basic Service Set.” It is an access point and all the LAN PCs that
are associated with it.
CSMA/CA – Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance.
Data Frame – Packets transmitted/received by the device that carries data. (See
Management Frame on the this page.)
ESS – ESS (ESS-ID, SSID) stands for “Extended Service Set.” More than one BSS is
configured to become an Extended Service Set. LAN mobile users can roam between
different BSSs in an ESS (ESS-ID, SSID).
Ethernet – A popular local area data communications network, which accepts
transmissions from computers and terminals. Ethernet operates on a 10 Mbps baseband
transmission rate, using shielded coaxial cable or twisted-pair cable.
Fragmentation Threshold – In the 802.11 Standard, the MAC Layer may fragment and
reassemble directed MSDUs or MMPDUs. The fragmentation and defragmentation
mechanisms allow for fragment re-transmission.
Preamble Type – Some access points and client card drivers have a radio setting for
“Short” RF Preamble. If all the clients and access points in your wireless network have
this feature, then enabling it can boost your throughput. However, if a radio does not
support this feature, then it will not be able to communicate with any other radios that
have this set to “Short.”
Infrastructure – An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an Infrastructure
configuration.
Management Frame – Control frame for establishing a link between an access point and
a client station. It includes Beacon, Probe, Authentication, and Association frames.
MSDUs – MAC Service Data Units.
MMPDUs – MAC Management Protocol Data Units.
Roaming – A wireless LAN mobile user moves around an ESS and maintains a
continuous connection to the Infrastructure network.
RTS Threshold – Transmitters contending for the medium may not be aware of each
other. RTS/CTS mechanism can solve this “Hidden Node Problem.” If the packet size is
smaller than the preset RTS Threshold size, the RTS/CTS mechanism will NOT be enabled.
USB – The Universal Serial Bus allows complete Plug and Play connection of peripheral
devices to a computer.
WEP – “Wired Equivalent Privacy” is based on the use of 64-bit or 128-bit keys and the
popular RC4 encryption algorithm. Wireless devices without a valid WEP key are
excluded from network traffic.