User's Guide

Glossary
hwc_glossary.fm
Networking terms and abbreviations
9034530-02, March 2010
472 HiPath Wireless Controller, Access Points and Convergence Software V7.11, User Guide
ELA (OPSEC) Event Logging API (Application Program Interface) for OPSEC, a module in Check Point used
to enable third-party applications to log events into the Check Point VPN-1/FireWall-1
management system.
Encapsulation See tunnelling.
ESS Extended Service Set (ESS). Several Basic Service Sets (BSSs) can be joined together to
form one logical WLAN segment, referred to as an extended service set (ESS). The SSID is
used to identify the ESS. (See BSS and SSID.)
FHSS Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum. A transmission technology used in Local Area
Wireless Network (LAWN) transmissions where the data signal is modulated with a
narrowband carrier signal that ‘hops’ in a random but predictable sequence from frequency to
frequency as a function of time over a wide band of frequencies. This technique reduces
interference. If synchronized properly, a single logical channel is maintained. (Compare
DSSS)
Fit, thin and fat APs A thin AP architecture uses two components: an access point that is essentially a stripped-
down radio and a centralized management controller that handles the other WLAN system
functions. Wired network switches are also required.
A fit AP, a variation of the thin AP, handles the RF and encryption, while the central
management controller, aware of the wireless users' identities and locations, handles secure
roaming, quality of service, and user authentication. The central management controller also
handles AP configuration and management.
A fat (or thick) AP architecture concentrates all the WLAN intelligence in the access point. The
AP handles the radio frequency (RF) communication, as well as authenticating users,
encrypting communications, secure roaming, WLAN management, and in some cases,
network routing.
FQDN Fully Qualified Domain Name. A ‘friendly’ designation of a computer, of the general form
computer.[subnetwork.].organization.domain. The FQDN names must be translated into an IP
address in order for the resource to be found on a network, usually performed by a Domain
Name Server.
FTM Forwarding Table Manager
FTP File Transfer Protocol
Gateway In the wireless world, an access point with additional software capabilities such as providing
NAT and DHCP. Gateways may also provide VPN support, roaming, firewalls, various levels
of security, etc.
Gigabit Ethernet The high data rate of the Ethernet standard, supporting data rates of 1 gigabit (1,000
megabits) per second.
GUI Graphical User Interface
Heartbeat message A heartbeat message is a UDP data packet used to monitor a data connection, polling to see
if the connection is still alive.
In general terms, a heartbeat is a signal emitted at regular intervals by software to
demonstrate that it is still alive. In networking, a heartbeat is the signal emitted by a Level 2
Ethernet transceiver at the end of every packet to show that the collision-detection circuit is
still connected.
Host (1) A computer (usually containing data) that is accessed by a user working on a remote
terminal, connected by modems and telephone lines.
(2) A computer that is connected to a TCP/IP network, including the Internet. Each host has
a unique IP address.
Term Explanation