47

Appendix E: Glossary

Wireless-G Access Point

Appendix E: Glossary

802.11b

- An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an

operating frequency of 2.4GHz.

802.11g

- An IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps, an

operating frequency of 2.4GHz, and backward compatibility with 802.11b devices.

Adapter

- This is a device that adds network functionality to your PC.

Ad-hoc

- A group of wireless devices communicating directly with each other (peer-to-peer) without the use of

an access point.

Backbone

- The part of a network that connects most of the systems and networks together, and handles the

most data.

Bandwidth

- The transmission capacity of a given device or network.

Beacon Interval

- Data transmitted on your wireless network that keeps the network synchronized.

Bit

- A binary digit.

Browser

- An application program that provides a way to look at and interact with all the information on the

World Wide Web.

CSMA/CA

(

C

arrier

S

ense

M

ultiple

A

ccess/

C

ollision

A

voidance) - A method of data transfer that is used to prevent

data collisions.

CTS

(

C

lear

T

o

S

end) - A signal sent by a wireless device, signifying that it is ready to receive data.

Database

- A collection of data that is organized so that its contents can easily be accessed, managed, and

updated.

DHCP

(

D

ynamic

H

ost

C

onfiguration

P

rotocol) - A networking protocol that allows administrators to assign

temporary IP addresses to network computers by "leasing" an IP address to a user for a limited amount of time,

instead of assigning permanent IP addresses.

Download

- To receive a file transmitted over a network.

48

Appendix E: Glossary

Wireless-G Access Point

DSSS

(

D

irect-

S

equence

S

pread-

S

pectrum) - Frequency transmission with a redundant bit pattern resulting in a

lower probability of information being lost in transit.

DTIM

(

D

elivery

T

raffic

I

ndication

M

essage) - A message included in data packets that can increase wireless

efficiency.

Encryption

- Encoding data transmitted in a network.

Ethernet

- IEEE standard network protocol that specifies how data is placed on and retrieved from a common

transmission medium.

Firmware

- The programming code that runs a networking device.

Fragmentation

-Breaking a packet into smaller units when transmitting over a network medium that cannot

support the original size of the packet.

Gateway

- A device that interconnects networks with different, incompatible communications protocols.

Hardware

- The physical aspect of computers, telecommunications, and other information technology devices.

IEEE

(The

I

nstitute of

E

lectrical and

E

lectronics

E

ngineers) - An independent institute that develops networking

standards.

Infrastructure

- A wireless network that is bridged to a wired network via an access point.

IP

(

I

nternet

P

rotocol) - A protocol used to send data over a network.

IP Address

- The address used to identify a computer or device on a network.

ISM band

- Radio bandwidth utilized in wireless transmissions.

ISP

(

I

nternet

S

ervice

P

rovider) - A company that provides access to the Internet.

LAN

- The computers and networking products that make up your local network.

MAC

(

M

edia

A

ccess

C

ontrol)

Address

- The unique address that a manufacturer assigns to each networking

device.

Network

- A series of computers or devices connected for the purpose of data sharing, storage, and/or

transmission between users.

Node

- A network junction or connection point, typically a computer or work station.

49

Appendix E: Glossary

Wireless-G Access Point

Packet

- A unit of data sent over a network.

Passphrase

- Used much like a password, a passphrase simplifies the WEP encryption process by automatically

generating the WEP encryption keys for Linksys products.

Port

- The connection point on a computer or networking device used for plugging in cables or adapters.

Roaming

- The ability to take a wireless device from one access point's range to another without losing the

connection.

Router

- A networking device that connects multiple networks together.

RTS

(

R

equest

T

o

S

end) - A networking method of coordinating large packets through the RTS Threshold setting.

Server

- Any computer whose function in a network is to provide user access to files, printing, communications,

and other services.

SNMP

(

S

imple

N

etwork

M

anagement

P

rotocol)

- A widely used network monitoring and control protocol.

Software

- Instructions for the computer. A series of instructions that performs a particular task is called a

"program".

SOHO

(

S

mall

O

ffice/

H

ome

O

ffice) - Market segment of professionals who work at home or in small offices.

Spread Spectrum

- Wideband radio frequency technique used for more reliable and secure data transmission.

SSID

(

S

ervice

S

et

ID

entifier) - Your wireless network's name.

Static IP Address

- A fixed address assigned to a computer or device that is connected to a network.

Subnet Mask

- An address code that determines the size of the network.

Switch

- 1. A data switch that connects computing devices to host computers, allowing a large number of

devices to share a limited number of ports. 2. A device for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an

electrical circuit.

TCP

(

T

ransmission

C

ontrol

P

rotocol) - A network protocol for transmitting data that requires acknowledgement

from the recipient of data sent.

TCP/IP

(

T

ransmission

C

ontrol

P

rotocol/

I

nternet

P

rotocol) - A set of instructions PCs use to communicate over a

network.

50

Appendix E: Glossary

Wireless-G Access Point

TKIP

(

T

emporal

K

ey

I

ntegrity

P

rotocol) - a wireless encryption protocol that provides dynamic encryption keys for

each packet transmitted.

Topology

- The physical layout of a network.

Upgrade

- To replace existing software or firmware with a newer version.

WEP

(

W

ired

E

quivalent

P

rivacy) - A method of encrypting network data transmitted on a wireless network for

greater security.

WPA

(

W

i-Fi

P

rotected

A

ccess) - a wireless security protocol using TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol)

encryption, which can be used in conjunction with a RADIUS server.

51

Appendix F: Specifications

Wireless-G Access Point

Appendix F: Specifications

Standards

802.11g and 802.11b

Channels

802.11g

11 Channels (US, Canada)

13 Channels (Europe)

14 Channels (Japan)

Ports/Buttons

One 10/100 RJ-45 Port, One Power Port,

One Reset Button

Cabling Type

UTP CAT 5 or better

Data Rate

Up to 54Mbps

Transmit Power

15dBm

LEDs

Power, Act, Link

Dimensions

7.31" x 1.88" x 6.88"

(L x W x H)

(186 mm x 48 mm x 175 mm)

Antenna Height

4.5" (114 mm)

Unit Weight

15 oz. (0.42 kg)

Power

External, 12V DC

Certifications

FCC, Canada

Operating Temp.

0ºC to 40ºC (32ºF to 104ºF)

Storage Temp.

-20ºC to 70ºC (-4ºF to 158ºF)