D-Link DWL-2200AP [168/192] Ad hoc mode

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Glossary

When one access point is connected to a wired network and supports a set of wireless

stations, it is referred to as a basic service set (BSS). An extended service set (ESS) is

created by combining two or more BSSs.

Ad hoc Mode

Ad hoc mode is a Wireless Networking Framework in which stations communicate directly

with each other. It is useful for quickly establishing a network in situations where formal

infrastructure is not required.

Ad hoc mode is also referred to as peer-to-peer mode or an independent basic service set

(IBSS).

AES

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a symmetric 128-bit block data encryption

technique developed to replace DES encryption. AES works at multiple network layers

simultaneously.

Further information is available on the NIST Web site.

Basic Rate Set

The basic rate set defines the transmission rates that are mandatory for any station wanting

to join this wireless network. All stations must be able to receive data at the rates listed in this

set.

Beacon

Beacon frames provide the “heartbeat” of a WLAN, announcing the existence of the network,

and enabling stations to establish and maintain communications in an orderly fashion. It

carries the following information (some of which is optional):

Bridge

A connection between two local area networks (LANs) using the same protocol, such as

Ethernet or IEEE 802.1x.

• The Timestamp is used by stations to update their local clock, enabling synchronization

among all associated stations.

• The Beacon interval defines the amount of time between transmitting beacon frames.

Before entering power save mode, a station needs the beacon interval to know when to

wake up to receive the beacon.

• The Capability Information lists requirements of stations that want to join the WLAN. For

example, it indicates that all stations must use WEP.

• The Service Set Identifier (SSID).

• The Basic Rate Set is a bitmap that lists the rates that the WLAN supports.

• The optional Parameter Sets indicates features of the specific signaling methods in use

(such as frequency hopping spread spectrum, direct sequence spread spectrum, etc.).

• The optional Traffic Indication Map (TIM) identifies stations, using power saving mode,

that have data frames queued for them.