User's Guide

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AP: access point. A physical edge device that allows wireless user devices to access network
resources. Sometimes it is referred to as a base station or a Node.
ARP: address resolution protocol. A TCP/IP protocol that binds logical (IP) addresses to
physical (MAC) addresses.
authentication: The process that a station, device, or user employs to announce its identify to
the network which validates it. IEEE 802.11 specifies two forms of authentication: open system
and shared key.
authorization: The process of deciding if device ‘X’ may use network service ‘Y’. Trusted
devices (the devices that are both authenticated and authorized) are allowed access to network
services. Unknown (not trusted) devices may require further user authorization to access
network services. This does not principally exclude that the authorization might be given by an
application automatically. Authorization always includes authentication.
bandwidth: Specifies the amount of the frequency spectrum that is usable for data transfer. In
other words, it identifies the maximum data rate a signal can attain on the medium without
encountering significant attenuation (loss of power).
baud rate: The number of pulses of a signal that occur in one second. Thus, baud rate is the
speed at which digital signal pulses travel.
bit rate: The transmission rate of binary symbols (‘0’ and ‘1’). Bit rate is equal to the total
number of bits transmitted in one second.
bridge: A network component that provides internetworking functionality at the data link or
medium access layer (Layer 2). Bridges provide segmentation and re-assembly of data frames.
Category 5 (Cat 5): A category of performance for inside Ethernet wiring that defines a cable
with eight insulated copper wires. Each pair is twisted around each other to reduce cross talk
and electromagnetic induction. Each connection on a twisted pair requires both wires. Cat5
cables are suitable for 10/100BaseT communication.
CHAP: challenge handshake authentication protocol. One of two authentication methods that
is part of the point to point protocol – PPP (PAP is the other). CHAP is a method for a device
to authenticate itself with a three-way handshake. Authentication information is not sent in the
clear. CHAP is defined in RFC 1334.
connectivity: A path for communications signals to flow through. Connectivity exists between
a pair of Nodes if the destination Node can correctly receive data from the source Node at a
specified minimum data rate.
DES: data encryption standard. A cryptographic algorithm that protects computer data. DES is
a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standard.