User's Manual

Glossary
Encryption: Scrambling data so that only the authorized recipient can read it. Usually a key is needed to
decrypt the data.
Extended Service Set IDentifier (ESSID): A type of unique identifier applied to both the AP and the wireless
PC Card that is attached to each packet. This allows the AP to recognize each wireless client and its traffic.
F
Firewall: A firewall is a set of related programs, located at a network gateway server, that protects the
resources of a network from users from other networks.
Frequencies: Strike a piano key and you generate a tone. Pick up the
tone with a microphone and your tone turns in to a “vibrating” or “cycling”
electronic signal. The rate of vibration depends on the key struck. In
electronics we refer to this rate of vibration as the number of “cycles per
second.” The formal term for this value is Hertz. As we move up in rate,
such as in the Broadcast Band, we can use Kilohertz (KHz) to represent
1,000 Hz, or Megahertz (MHz) to represent 1,000,000 Hz. Continuing
much further upward, we finally reach 1,000,000,000 Hz, which we can
fortunately shorten to a Gigahertz (GHz). These frequencies are the home
of both 802.11a (5 GHz) and 802.11b (2.4 GHz).
I
Independent Basic Service Set Identifier (IBSSID): Used to identify a wireless network configured to allow
each wireless client to communicate directly with each other without an access point.
Independent Network: A network that provides (usually temporarily) peer-to-peer connectivity without relying
on a complete network infrastructure.
Infrastructure Network: A wireless network centered around an access
point. In this environment, the access point not only provides
communication with the wired network but also mediates wireless network
traffic in the immediate neighborhood.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): An organization involved in setting computing and
communications standards.
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