Users Guide

Term Definition
WiMAX A wireless industry coalition whose members organized to advance
IEEE 802.16 standards for broadband wireless access (BWA) networks.
WiMAX 802.16 technology is expected to enable multimedia
applications with wireless connection and, with a range of up to 30
miles, enable networks to have a wireless last mile solution. According
to the WiMAX forum, the group's aim is to promote and certify
compatibility and interoperability of devices based on the 802.16
specification, and to develop such devices for the marketplace.
wired equivalent privacy
(WEP)
A security protocol specified in 802.11b, designed to provide a WLAN
with a level of security and privacy comparable to what is usually
expected of a wired LAN. Data encryption protects the vulnerable
wireless link between clients and access points; once this measure has
been taken, other typical LAN security mechanisms such as password
protection, end-to-end encryption, virtual private networks (VPNs), and
authentication can be put in place to ensure privacy.
wireless Describes telecommunications in which electromagnetic waves
(rather than some form of wire) carry the signal over part or all of the
communication path.
wireless abstract XML (WAX) Describes telecommunications in which electromagnetic waves
(rather than some form of wire) carry the signal over part or all of the
communication path.
wireless application service
provider (WASP)
Provides Web-based access to applications and services that would
otherwise have to be stored locally and makes it possible for
customers to access the service from a variety of wireless devices,
such as a smartphone or personal digital assistant (PDA).
wireless ISP (WISP) An internet service provider (ISP) that allows subscribers to connect to
a server at designated hot spots (access points) using a wireless
connection such as Wi-Fi. This type of ISP offers broadband service
and allows subscriber computers, called stations, to access the
Internet and the Web from anywhere within the zone of coverage
provided by the server antenna, usually a region with a radius of
several kilometers.
wireless service provider A company that offers transmission services to users of wireless
devices through radio frequency (RF) signals rather than through end-
to-end wire communication.
wireless local area network
(WLAN)
A local area network (LAN) that users access through a wireless
connection. 802.11 standards specify WLAN technologies. WLANs are
frequently some portion of a wired LAN.
yagi antenna A unidirectional antenna commonly used in communications when a
frequency is above 10 MHz.
Dell Networking W-Series ArubaOS 6.5.x | User Guide Acronyms and Terms | 1127