Specifications

Glossary
GL-3
Cisco IOS Command Reference for Cisco Aironet Access Points and Bridges
0L-24115-01
client
A radio device that uses the services of an Access Point to communicate
wirelessly with other devices on a local area network.
CSMA
Carrier sense multiple access. A wireless LAN media access method specified
by the IEEE 802.11 specification.
D
data rates
The range of data transmission rates supported by a device. Data rates are
measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
dBi
A ratio of decibels to an isotropic antenna that is commonly used to measure
antenna gain. The greater the dBi value, the higher the gain, and the more acute
the angle of coverage.
DFS
Dynamic Frequency Selection. In some regulatory domains, 5-GHz radios are
required to use DFS to avoid interfering with radar signals.
DHCP
Dynamic host configuration protocol. A protocol available with many operating
systems that automatically issues IP addresses within a specified range to
devices on the network. The device retains the assigned address for a specific
administrator-defined period.
dipole
A type of low-gain (2.2-dBi) antenna consisting of two (often internal) elements.
domain name
The text name that refers to a grouping of networks or network resources based
on organization-type or geography; for example: name.com—commercial;
name.edu—educational; name.gov—government; ISPname.net—network
provider (such as an ISP); name.ar—Argentina; name.au—Australia; and so on.
DNS
Domain Name System server. A server that translates text names into IP
addresses. The server maintains a database of host alphanumeric names and their
corresponding IP addresses.
DSSS
Direct sequence spread spectrum. A type of spread spectrum radio transmission
that spreads its signal continuously over a wide frequency band.
E
EAP
Extensible Authentication Protocol. An optional IEEE 802.1x security feature
ideal for organizations with a large user base and access to an EAP-enabled
Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) server.
Ethernet
The most widely used wired local area network. Ethernet uses carrier sense
multiple access (CSMA) to allow computers to share a network and operates at
10, 100, or 1000 Mbps, depending on the physical layer used.