Specifications

GL-1
Cisco IOS Software Configuration Guide for Cisco Aironet Access Points
OL-5260-01
GLOSSARY
802.11
The IEEE standard that specifies carrier sense media access control and physical
layer specifications for 1- and 2-megabit-per-second (Mbps) wireless LANs
operating in the 2.4-GHz band.
802.11a
The IEEE standard that specifies carrier sense media access control and physical
layer specifications for wireless LANs operating in the 5-GHz frequency band.
802.11b
The IEEE standard that specifies carrier sense media access control and physical
layer specifications for 5.5- and 11-Mbps wireless LANs operating in the
2.4-GHz frequency band.
A
access point
A wireless LAN data transceiver that uses radio waves to connect a wired
network with wireless stations.
ad hoc network
A wireless network composed of stations without Access Points.
antenna gain
The gain of an antenna is a measure of the antenna’s ability to direct or focus
radio energy over a region of space. High gain antennas have a more focused
radiation pattern in a specific direction.
associated
A station is configured properly to allow it to wirelessly communicate with an
Access Point.
B
backoff time
The random length of time that a station waits before sending a packet on the
LAN. Backoff time is a multiple of slot time, so a decrease in slot time ultimately
decreases the backoff time, which increases throughput.
beacon
A wireless LAN packet that signals the availability and presence of the wireless
device. Beacon packets are sent by access points and base stations; however,
client radio cards send beacons when operating in computer to computer (Ad
Hoc) mode.
BOOTP
Boot Protocol. A protocol used for the static assignment of IP addresses to
devices on the network.