User Manual

Intel® Wireless Gateway User's Guide
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Chapter 5. Glossary
Access Point: a device on an 802.11b wireless network that receives and retransmits data. It allows
computers with wireless network adapters to be connected, typically, to an Ethernet network.
Cable Modem: a device that enables you to hook up your PC to the Internet via a local cable TV
line.
Client: a computer on a network.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP): the process of automatically configuring the
TCP/IP settings for every computer on a network.
Domain Name System (DNS) Server Address: allows Internet host computers to have a domain
name, such as intel.com, and one or more IP addresses. A DNS server keeps a database of host
computers, their respective domain names and IP addresses so that when a domain name is
requested, the user is sent to the proper IP address. The DNS server address used by the computers
on your network refers to the DNS server for your ISP.
Encryption: a process that scrambles access codes or computer data to prevent unauthorized
access. 802.11b wireless networks incorporate Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption
technologies.
Ethernet: the most widely used local area networking technology. It is an industry-wide standard
originally developed by Xerox and formalized in 1980 by DEC, Intel, and Xerox. Ethernet
networks transmit data at 10/100 Mbps using a specified protocol.
Ethernet Address (MAC Address): a unique, pre-programmed address, sometimes referred to
as a media access control (MAC) address. Each computer on an Ethernet network has its own
Ethernet address. This 12-digit hexadecimal address is encoded into the circuitry of the computer’s
network adapter when it is manufactured. Other devices on the network use this address to identify
the computer. This address is not the same as the IP address that is assigned to computers on
TCP/IP networks. On these networks, the IP address is associated with the Ethernet address to
enable network communication.
IP Address: provides unique identification for each computer on the Internet or on a local
network. IP addresses are usually expressed as a group of four numbers separated by periods, for
example, 169.254.10.2. None of the numbers can be greater than 255. Each Ethernet interface has
an IP address. For the Intel® Wireless Gateway, there is a LAN Ethernet interface and a WAN
Ethernet interface; hence, there is a LAN IP address and a WAN IP address.
Internet Protocol: used to send data from one computer to another over the Internet. The IP
describes how Internet computers keep track of the IP address of each computer on the network
and route packets of data from one IP address to another.
Internet Service Provider (ISP): a company that provides individuals and other companies
access to the Internet and other related services such as Web site building and virtual hosting. An
ISP has the equipment and the telecommunication line access required to have POP on the Internet
for the geographic area served. The larger ISPs have their own high-speed leased lines so that they
are less dependent on the telecommunication providers and can provide better service to their
customers.
Local Area Network (LAN): a network in one location. The network lets users at that location
share files, printers and other services. See WAN.
Link Light: a light on a network device that indicates a good network connection. Hubs typically
have a link light for each port; although, they may not be labeled as such, and the lights may show
other information. These lights often blink for network activity. Some hubs display different