User's Manual

25
Wireless 54Mpbs USB 2.0 Adapter
6. Glossary
IEEE 802.11 Standards
The IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN Standards Subcommittee, which is formulating a standard for the industry.
Access Point
An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks together.
Ad Hoc
An Ad Hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with a WLAN adapter, connected as an independent
wireless LAN. Ad Hoc wireless LAN is applicable at a departmental scale for a branch or SOHO operation.
BSSID
A specific Ad Hoc LAN is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). Computers in a BS must be configured with the same
BSSID.
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol – a method in which IP addresses are assigned by server dynamically to
clients on the network. DHCP is used for Dynamic IP Addressing and requires a dedicated DHCP server on the
network.
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
This is the method the wireless cards use to transmit data over the frequency spectrum. The other method is
frequency hopping. Direct sequence spreads the data over one frequency range (channel) while frequency hopping
jumps from one narrow frequency band to another many times per second.
ESSID
An infrastructure configuration could also support roaming capability for mobile workers. More than one BSS can be
configured as an Extended Service Set (ESS). Users within an ESS could roam freely between BSSs while served
as a continuous connection to the network wireless stations and Access Points within an ESS must be configured
with the same ESSID and the same radio channel.
Ethernet
Ethernet is a 10/100Mbps network that runs over dedicated home/office wiring. Users must be wired to the network
at all times to gain access.
Gateway
A gateway is a hardware and software device that connects two dissimilar systems, such as a LAN and a mainframe.
In Internet terminology, a gateway is another name for a router. Generally a gateway is used as a funnel for all traffic
to the internet.