Planet WAP-6000 [31/33] Appendix a glossary

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Appendix A Glossary

802.11b - An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate

of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.

802.11g - An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate

of 54Mbps, an operating frequency of 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with 802.11b

devices.

Adapter - This is a device that adds network functionality to your PC.

Ad-hoc - A group of wireless devices communicating directly with each other (peer-to-peer)

without the use of an access point.

Backbone - The part of a network that connects most of the systems and networks together,

and handles the most data.

Bandwidth - The transmission capacity of a given device or network.

Beacon Interval - Data transmitted on your wireless network that keeps the network

synchronized.

Bit - A binary digit.

Browser - An application program that provides a way to look at and interact with all the

information on the World Wide Web.

CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance) - A method of data transfer

that is used to prevent data collisions.

CTS (Clear To Send) - A signal sent by a wireless device, signifying that it is ready to receive

data.

Database - A collection of data that is organized so that its contents can easily be accessed,

managed, and updated.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - A networking protocol that allows

administrators to assign temporary IP addresses to network computers by "leasing" an IP

address to a user for a limited amount of time, instead of assigning permanent IP addresses.

Download - To receive a file transmitted over a network.

DSSS (Direct-Sequence Spread-Spectrum) - Frequency transmission with a redundant bit

pattern resulting in a lower probability of information being lost in transit.

DTIM (Delivery Traffic Indication Message) - A message included in data packets that can

increase wireless efficiency.

Encryption - Encoding data transmitted in a network.

Ethernet - IEEE standard network protocol that specifies how data is placed on and retrieved

from a common transmission medium.

Firmware - The programming code that runs a networking device.