User's Manual

hwc_glossary.fm
A31003-W1050-U100-2-7619, March 2008
HiPath Wireless Controller, Access Points and Convergence Software V5 R1 , C20/C2400 User Guide
355
Glossary
Networking terms and abbreviations
12 Glossary
12.1 Networking terms and abbreviations
Term Explanation
AAA Authentication, Authorization and Accounting. A system in IP-based networking to control
what computer resources users have access to and to keep track of the activity of users over
a network.
Access Point (AP) A wireless LAN transceiver or "base station" that can connect a wired LAN to one or many
wireless devices.
Ad-hoc mode An 802.11 networking framework in which devices or stations communicate directly with each
other, without the use of an access point (AP). (Compare Infrastructure Mode)
AES Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is an algorithm for encryption that works at multiple
network layers simultaneously. As a block cipher, AES encrypts data in fixed-size blocks of
128 bits. AES was created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). AES
is a privacy transform for IPSec and Internet Key Exchange (IKE). AES has a variable key
length - the algorithm can specify a 128-bit key (the default), a 192-bit key, or a 256-bit key.
For the WPA2/802.11i implementation of AES, a 128 bit key length is used. AES encryption
includes 4 stages that make up one round. Each round is then iterated 10, 12 or 14 times
depending upon the bit-key size. For the WPA2/802.11i implementation of AES, each round
is iterated 10 times.
AES-CCMP AES uses the Counter-Mode/CBC-MAC Protocol (CCMP). CCM is a new mode of operation
for a block cipher that enables a single key to be used for both encryption and authentication.
The two underlying modes employed in CCM include Counter mode (CTR) that achieves data
encryption and Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code (CBC-MAC) to provide
data integrity.
ARP Address Resolution Protocol. A protocol used to obtain the physical addresses (such as MAC
addresses) of hardware units in a network environment. A host obtains such a physical
address by broadcasting an ARP request, which contains the IP address of the target
hardware unit. If the request finds a unit with that IP address, the unit replies with its physical
hardware address.
Association A connection between a wireless device and an Access Point.
asynchronous Asynchronous transmission mode (ATM). A start/stop transmission in which each character is
preceded by a start signal and followed by one or more stop signals. A variable time interval
can exist between characters. ATM is the preferred technology for the transfer of images.
BSS Basic Service Set. A wireless topology consisting of one Access Point connected to a wired
network and a set of wireless devices. Also called an infrastructure network. See also IBSS.
Captive Portal A browser-based authentication mechanism that forces unauthenticated users to a Web page.
Sometimes called a "reverse firewall".
Table 29