User`s guide

Aironet Wireless Client xxiii
Terminology
When configuring your system, and when reading this manual, keep in
mind the following terminology:
Association – Each root unit or repeater in the infrastructure contains an
association table that controls the routing of packets between the Access
Point and the wireless infrastructure. The association table maintains
entries for all the nodes situated below the Access Point on the infra-
structure including repeaters and client nodes.
Cell – A single Aironet Wireless Client transmits and receives data
within an area called a cell. A cell is the area of radio range (coverage)
in which the Aironet Wireless Client can communicate to other devices
in the wireless infrastructure. The size of a single cell depends upon the
speed of the transmission, the type of antenna used, the physical envi-
ronment as well as other factors. The size of the entire coverage area for
the wireless infrastructure can be increased by adding repeaters, thus
adding cells.
End Node – A client node that is located at the end of the Network Tree.
Infrastructure – The wireless infrastructure is the communications sys-
tem that combines Access Points, Aironet Wireless Clients, mobile
nodes and fixed nodes. Access Points within the infrastructure can be
either root units, which are physically wired to the LAN backbone, or
can act as wireless repeaters. Other RF enabled devices serve as fixed
nodes or mobile nodes.
Parent/Child Node – Refers to the relationships between nodes in the
wireless infrastructure. The complete set of relationships is sometimes
described as a network tree. For example, the Access Point (at the top of
the tree) would be the parent of the end nodes. Conversely, the end
nodes would be the children of the Access Point.
Repeater – A repeater is an Access Point that extends the radio range of
the infrastructure. A repeater is not physically attached to the wired
LAN, but communicates via radio to another Access Point, which is
either a root unit or another repeater.
UCE.BK Page xxiii Wednesday, February 10, 1999 12:10 PM