User guide

150 Appendix B: Glossary
AirMagnet Laptop Analyzer User Guide
A newer standard of WLAN technology designed to significantly improve network
throughput over previous standards (i.e., 802.11a, b, and g) by adding multiple-input
multiple-output (MIMO) and channel-bonding/40-MHz operation to the physical (PHY)
layer, and frame aggregation to the MAC layer. The 802.11n standard promises data rates up
to 600 Mbps.
AP (Access Point)
A hardware device that links or bridges wireless stations to a wired network. APs serve to
centralize all wireless stations on a LAN in a so-called “infrastructure” mode. They are
commonly used in large office buildings or public places like airports to form one wireless
local area network (WLAN) that covers a large area. Each AP typically supports 255 wireless
stations. Also known as wireless access point or WAP.
Authentication
Any security measure adopted to establish the validity of a transmission, message, or
originator, or a process for verifying a party’s authorization to receive certain information.