| Glossary
| 802.11b or 802.11g 802.11b networks can operate at a maximum of 11Mbits per second. 802.11g networks operate at up to 54Mbits per second. Access Point Also known as a wireless router, an access point forms the heart of your wireless network and controls its security configuration. If you are using an access point, you have an Infrastructure mode network.
Ad-Hoc
Each device communicates directly with each device. There is no central access point controlling wireless network communication. This type of network is also referred to as a Peer-to-peer wireless network.
APIPA
Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) is used when your network device is not able to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server.
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII). The numerical representation of a character. For example, the ASCII code for the letter A is 65.
Authentication Method
The type of wireless authentication used on your network.
Channel
Wireless networks use channels. Each channel uses a different radio frequency in a pre-determined range. All wireless devices within the wireless network will use the same channel unless those devices are connected to other wireless access points that act as a gateway to the wireless network.
DHCP
A Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server allocates IP addresses to network devices.
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) also referred to as ADSL or xDSL. A high-speed internet connection.
EAP
Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) that provides an authentication framework for wireless and wired networks. EAP uses a RADIUS server, which authenticates users on corporate networks before they are allowed to access the wireless or wired network.
Network cable (Ethernet cable)
The cable used to connect your device to your wired network. Ethernet cables use a RJ45 connectors and the cable itself is also known as a straight-through cable.
Gateway Address
A gateway address allows the device to communicate with other devices on different networks. Generally speaking, you do not need to configure a gateway address.
HEX
Short for HEXADECIMAL, a numbering system that uses the numbers 0-9 and the letters A-F.
Infrastructure
Each device communicates via a central access point. This is the most commonly used type of wireless network.
IP Address
Each device on the network must use a unique address. This address is known as an IP address and must be entered manually or can be automatically assigned using a DHCP server. An IP address is a mandatory in a TCP/IP network.
LEAP
Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol (LEAP) A Cisco protocol used for 802.1X authentication on wireless LANs. Like EAP, LEAP uses a RADIUS server, which authenticates users on corporate networks before they are allowed to access the wireless or wired network.
MAC Address
A Media Access Control (MAC) address is unique 12-digit number assigned to each network device.
Node Name
A unique name for the wireless device. Generally speaking, the node name is based on the MAC address.
Signal Strength
The strength of the wireless signal between your device and the access point you are communicating with.
Subnet Mask.
An IP address also requires a subnet mask. The subnet mask is entered manually, or assigned automatically if using a DHCP server. A subnet mask is mandatory in a TCP/IP network.
SSID
The Service Set Identifier (SSID), also referred to as the network name, is the name that your wireless network uses. On some wireless networks, the SSID name is not advertised to increase security.
Switch
A switch makes it possible for several network devices to communicate with each other.
TKIP
TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) removes the predictability that intruders could relied upon to exploit security weaknesses brought about with the use of manually assigned WEP keys. TKIP keys are automatically generated and are longer that WEP keys and as a result, more secure that standard WEP keys.
WEP Key
The Wireless Equivalent Protocol (WEP) key is a basic wireless security feature that protects your wireless network from casual eavesdroppers. A WEP key is also referred to as a Network Key.