Datasheet

Introduction
 2013 Microchip Technology Inc. Preliminary DS52108A-page 15
1.6 COMMON TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
TABLE 1-1: COMMON TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
Parameter Description
STA Station (local station) is a device on the network, typically refer to a wireless
device. This can be a laptop, PC, or the Microchip development board with
MRF24WB0MA/B or MRF24WG0MA/B Wi-Fi
®
PICtail™.
LAN Local area network (LAN) is a collection of computers communicating to each
other. LAN consists of two devices communicating through a wireless access
point (AP) or router (see Figure 1-1). Local networks can communicate to
each other, or, with a WAN (internet) connection, and they can communicate
to other networks over the internet.
AP Wireless access point (AP) is a device that creates a wireless network that
multiple wireless devices can connect to. When connected to a wired
network, wired and wireless devices can communicate with each other.
Typically, most APs and routers come as a single unit, making the connection
between wired, wireless and internet seamless.
Router
Router is a network device that directs and forwards traffic. Generally, a router
and an AP are combined together, so that wired and wireless devices can
communicate to each other.
DHCP Dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) is an application layer protocol
that manages the IP network. This reduces the amount of manual intervention
required when putting a new device on the network. To connect to a network,
you are provided with an IP address by the DHCP server.
OUI
Organizationally unique identifier is a 24-bit number (3 bytes) that composes
the first three bytes (octets) of the six byte MAC address. The OUI is
managed by the IEEE. The OUI that identifies MRF24WB0MA/B or
MRF24WG0MA/B is 00:1E:C0. With each OUI, you are guaranteed 224
unique combinations that can be used for device identification.
MAC address Media access control address is a unique identifier to each device on a
network. For a given OUI, there can be 224 uniquely programmed MAC
addresses.
BSS Basic service set is the basic building block of a wireless LAN. This usually
consists of an AP, with one or more wireless stations. This is commonly
referred to as Infrastructure mode.
IBSS Independent basic service set is a network with no controlling AP. The first
device to start the network will broadcast the SSID, and other local stations
can join. This is commonly referred to as Ad hoc mode.
SSID Service set identifier is a name for the wireless network.
WEP Wired equivalent privacy is an encryption mechanism for wireless networks.
Most APs implement two different flavors of WEP, 64-bit WEP (WEP-40) and
128-bit WEP (WEP-104). Several failings have been identified in WEP,
resulting in easily hackable and insecure networks. WEP is no longer
recommended for use, except as required to interface with legacy equipment
that cannot support WPA/WPA2.
WPA WiFi protected access is the implementation of the IEEE 802.11i specification.
It is considered a secure alternative to WEP.
WAN Wide area network is a network that connects other networks (LANs)
together. The most famous WAN is the internet.
MCU Microcontroller unit. In the case of this demonstration, this will either be PIC18
(PICDEM.net 2), PIC24 (Explorer 16), or PIC32 (Explorer 16).